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Sergeant-at-Arms Ahmed Kagoye, 44 others get medals as NRM marks liberation day

By
Our Reporter
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Sergeant-at-Arms of Parliament Mr Ahmed Kagoye,

The Sergeant-at-Arms of Parliament Mr Ahmed Kagoye, Kayunga District Health officer, and 43 other others have been awarded medals.

The Sergeant-at-Arms Mr Kagoye is the ceremonial custodian of the Mace and the implementer of all orders and actions requested by the Speaker. His main role is to provide a safe, clean and secure environment throughout the precincts of Parliament.

Kagoye and others were awarded during the celebrations to mark the National Resistance Movement-NRM 37th anniversary which was held at Kakeeka grounds in Kakumiro District.

The medals awarded included; the Damu medal, Nalubaale medal, golden jubilee medal, Diamond Jubilee medal, Luwero Triangle medal and National Independence medal among others.

This year’s theme was; ‘Our resolute effort to transform Uganda is a promise we shall fulfill’.

37 people were awarded the Independence medal, Nalubaale medal –five, Damu medal-two and Luwero Triangle medal –one person.

The medalists include Dr. Robert Ssentongo, a health officer who hails from Kayunga district. He is a highly trained and skilled healthcare worker with a passion for the rural population.

As the president of the Association of surgeons of Uganda, he participated in and advocated for free rural surgeon camps in all regions of Uganda. The surgical camps have since grown and are eventually emulated by other fields of medicine to reach out to the underprivileged Ugandans.

Others included Dr. Ahmed Matovu, the District Health officer for Kayunga who has ventured into research and made several publications in the field of medicine for example factors influencing uptake of prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV in healthcare facilities in Kabalole district and use of anti-malarial drugs a case study of Kayunga hospital.

Dr. Mukhtar Mohammed (RIP), the founder of St. John’s Ambulance Service; Mujuni Edigar, Bonny Omar, and Tebusweke Derrick took part in the designing and launch of Uganda’s first Satellite.

Speaking during the celebrations, Museveni said “Uganda already entered the middle-income country status but you need three years consecutively to be recognized as a middle-income country and in my view, all these are low targets that Uganda will easily surpass.”

He said by the end of 2023, GDP per capita will be USD 1067. “You will remember that for every middle-income category, you need a GDP per capita of USD 1039 for three consecutive years. This is now the second financial year. We have been in that category. So we have already entered the middle-income countries have been talking about.”

He said he has woken up Ugandans from this sleep of ignorance.

“We are going to add value to coffee and other raw materials. These broad-spectrum value addition movements will jumpstart our economy to a half-trillion-economy of $500bn.”

“We are going to add value to our coffee and the other raw materials like maize minerals, etc. This broad spectrum value additional movement will jumpstart our economy in a very short time to a half trillion economy of USD 500billion I don’t want to hear economy of 48 billion, 50 billion, 60 billion,” he said.

He said Patriotism, Loving in Uganda, and pan-Africanism-loving Africa reoriented the Ugandans from following the politics of identity, tribes’ religion, gender, etc.

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Africa enters New Year with low #Covid-19 cases

By
Our Reporter
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Covid-19 vaccine

For the first time since the beginning of the pandemic, Africa is emerging from the holiday season without a significant increase in COVID-19 cases.

A total of 20,552 new cases were recorded in the first three weeks of January 2023, representing a 97% drop from the same period last year. However, an increase in cases has been reported in South Africa, Tunisia, and Zambia in the last two weeks. The decline in the number of newly reported cases may be partly due to low rates of COVID-19 testing. Still, it is critical to note that hospitalizations for severe COVID-19 and deaths have decreased significantly. As of 22 January 2023, 88 COVID-19-related deaths have been reported in the Region, compared to 9,096 for the same period in 2022.

“For the first time since COVID-19 turned our lives upside down, January is not synonymous with a rise in cases. Africa enters the fourth year of the pandemic with the hope to move out of emergency response mode,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Africa. “However, with variants still circulating, it is important that countries remain alert and put measures in place to effectively detect and control any further spikes in infections.”

In 2022, Africa did not experience major pandemic peaks, outbreaks lasted an average of three weeks before fading. In contrast, in 2021, the continent experienced two pandemic waves caused by more transmissible and deadly variants.

With the number of new cases gradually slowing down over the past year, the low transmission of the virus is expected to continue in the coming months, with possible occasional increases. However, it remains essential that countries maintain their capacity to detect and respond to any unusual outbreaks of cases effectively.

Over the past year, as African countries have stepped up efforts to expand immunization, only 29% of the continent’s population has completed the primary immunization series by 22 January 2023, up from 7% in January 2022. However, the vaccination rate for adults aged 18 and older has increased from 13% in January last year to 47% currently.

However, only four countries in the African Region have vaccinated more than 70% of their population, 27 have vaccinated between 10% and 39%, while 11 have covered between 40% and 70% of their population. Immunization of high-risk populations has seen some progress with 41% of health workers fully vaccinated in 28 countries and 38% of older people in 23 countries.

To further expand immunization coverage, in addition to immunization campaigns, it is important to integrate COVID-19 vaccination into routine healthcare services that take into account the needs of the most vulnerable. So far, 12 African countries have started integrating COVID-19 vaccination into mainstream health services.

“As the trajectory of the pandemic evolves, so must our approach. We are helping countries put in place effective ways to ensure COVID-19 vaccines are available, accessible and provided over the long term,” said Dr. Moeti. “We know from experience that huge gaps in immunization can be the perfect opportunity for the resurgence of vaccine-preventable infections. Even though COVID-19 cases are declining, the pandemic can take an unexpected turn. But we can rely on vaccines to avoid a disastrous outcome.”

COVID-19 vaccination remains essential to protect against severe illness and death, as the virus continues to circulate and mutate.

In Africa, Botswana and South Africa are the only countries to have detected the Omicron XBB.1.5 sub-variant, one of the sub-lineages with public health implications. Genomic sequencing has slowed as COVID-19 testing rates have declined. Over the past week, only three countries have reached the WHO benchmark of five tests per 10,000 people per week, compared to 25 at the same time in 2022.

So far this year, 1896 sequences have been submitted. At the same time last year, 7625 sequences were made. Sequencing is essential to track variants and contribute to the preparation of a rapid and effective response.

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Sarah Kihika wins Franco-German Peace and Reconciliation Award 2023

By
Our Reporter
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French Ambassador H.E Xavier Sticker, 2021 Peace Award winner Phionah Nabaasa Wall, 2023 Award winner Sarah Kihika Kasande, German Ambassador H.E Matthias Schauer.

Ms. Sarah Kihika Kasande, a Ugandan lawyer, and advocate and Head of office of the International Centre for Transitional Justice (ICTJ) Uganda is the winner of the Franco-German Peace and Reconciliation Award 2023.

The ICTJ is an organ that works with victims of human rights violations to obtain redress and the responsible parties to account, reform and build democratic institutions, and prevent the recurrence of violence or repression.

On January 22, 1963, the signing of the Élysée Treaty by President Charles de Gaulle and Chancellor Konrad Adenauer sealed reconciliation between France and Germany for the benefit of a long and lasting era of peace and friendship between the two countries.

On January 22, 2019, President Emmanuel Macron and Chancellor Angela Merkel, signed in Aachen, a new Franco-German treaty on cooperation and integration.

To commemorate the 60th anniversary of this historic event and the fourth anniversary of the renewed partnership between France and Germany, Their Excellencies Mr. Xavier Sticker, Ambassador of France to Uganda, and Mr. Matthias Schauer, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Uganda, hosted a Peace & Reconciliation Award Ceremony and a Reception on Friday January 20, 2023, at the French Residence in Nakasero.

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NSSF disregards funding Tondeka Bus Project

By
Simon Kabayo
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The National Social Security Fund (NSSF) has disregarded allegations concerning the misuse of savers’ money to fund the Tondeka bus project

“We would like to clarify that this is not true. The Fund has not funded any activities of the said project as alleged,” NSSF stated.

NSSF has added that the Fund continues to preserve members’ savings through prudent investments in line with our investment policy.

“We remain committed to producing a better life for our members,” NSSF confirmed in a statement.

On 24th January, 2023 the Board Chairman National Social Security Fund (NSSF) Uganda Peter Kimbowa (PK), who is also the Founding Executive Chairman Tondeka Metro Company, was dragged to the Inspector General of Government (IGG) over alleged corruption, abuse and mismanagement of office.

The concerned citizen accused Kimbowa of diverting NSSF funds to fund the Tondeka bus project, which is a personal business.

THE PETITION READS;

As concerned members of NSSF, I wish this investigation to widen to include the activities of the chairperson of the board of directors Mr. Peter kimbowa for the following reasons:-

  1. Mr Kimbowa is a funding executive chairman, Tondeka metro company,
  2. In that capacity as funding executive chairman, Mr Kimbowa had been promising Uganda to put 900 buses on the streets of Kampala and the great Kampala metropolitan area for last 10 years,
  3. In September 2021 Mr Kimbowa was appointed chairman of the board of directors at NSSF.
  4. In mid-2022, Tondeka Company finally put over 10 buses on the streets of Kampala.

What a coincidence that no sooner had Mr Kimbowa been appointed chairman board of directors at NSSF than Tondeka was able to put buses on Kampala streets, something that had evaded them for a long time.

Could Mr. Kimbowa have used workers’ money for his personal business? And no sooner had the Tondeka buses appeared on our streets than allegations of corruption and abuse of office were raised at NSSF. I pray that your good office investigates Peter Kimbowa, the chairman of NSSF for possible corruption activities at NSSF.

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Over 150 rescued from Kampala streets during citywide operation

By
Our Reporter
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Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) conducted a city wide operation to rescue loitering children from the streets. The operation was carried out by the KCCA law enforcement team and the Uganda Police on Wednesday, January 25, where over 150 children were rescued.

The children were picked from various parts of Kampala at street junctions in the Central business district. They were taken to Kobulin Youth Rehabilitation and Skilling center in Napak district for rehabilitation.

During the operation a total of 13 suspected child traffickers were also arrested during the operation. In accordance with the law, the suspects will be taken to court for contravening the Child Protection Ordinance 2022.

Section 10 of the Ordinance prohibits any person from sending a child to beg or solicit for alms in a public place, street, office, or any business or commercial establishment and also to live off the proceed of a child engaged in begging or soliciting for alms.

The ordinance provides that a person who contravenes these provisions commits an offense and is liable upon conviction to a fine not exceeding 40,000 shillings or imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months or both.

The 166 children rescued from the street on January 25, have been transported to Kublin Youth Skilling Centre in Nepak. They will undergo rehabilitation, tracing and reintegration with their families.

In 2022, KCCA carried out a similar operation in which 700 children were rescued from the streets and 36 child traffickers convicted.

The children rescued in August 2022 were taken to Masulita Children’s home where they can live a childhood free from exploitation and abuse but also be rehabilitated. These children are now well looked after and are in school.

Speaking about the operation, the Executive Director Dorothy Kisaka said “We have received good reports of the children in Masulita. The children are healthy, they are being trained and rehabilitated. We are grateful to UWESO for providing the facility and the resources for this work,”

She added,”We have made progress with the street children, but there is a lot more to be done. It’s steady progress!”

According to John Bosco Bashinyora, the Head of Gender Directorate at KCCA, the operation was supported by three local NGOs working under the Local Coalition Accelerator initiative.

The support included fuel equivalent to 720 litres for the bus, coaster, and pickup; meals for the children while in transit and facilitation for the rescue team. strong advocate of children’s protection and the rescue of children from abuse is always close to heart.

KCCA will be carrying out more operations to bring to rescue the children from street life and also prosecute all those involved in trafficking and abusing children.

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UNEB to release PLE results tomorrow

By
Simon Kabayo
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The Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) has confirmed the release of last year’s Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE) results to be tomorrow Friday January 27, 2023 at State House Nakasero.

The revelation followed the UNEB officials briefing the Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Museveni, and other top officials on Wednesday afternoon about the performance of learners ahead of the release date. This will be the first 2022 examination to be released by UNEB.

The Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) and Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) will follow.

The State Minister for Education, Joyce Moriku Kaducu, apologised for the delay saying UNEB officials had earlier met with the education minister and explained.

“It was necessary to brief the minister first before the results are released,” she said, adding, “we apologize for the delay but the release will be out on Friday.”

The results were reportedly supposed to be released last week but were postponed because the education minister had other engagements.

A total of 832,810 candidates sat for the Primary Leaving Examination last year on November 8 and 9. This was in 14,153 examination centres across the country.

Out of the total number of candidates, 583,769 were funded by the Universal Primary Education (UPE), and only 249,041 were non-UPE.

51.9% of the total candidates were females while 48.1% were male.

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Museveni meets newly appointed judicial officers

By
Our Reporter
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President Yoweri Museveni has met and congratulated the newly appointed Justices of the Supreme Court and the Court of appeal at a ceremony that took place at State House Entebbe.

The three new Justices of the Supreme Court include Lady Justice Elizabeth Musoke, Justice Stephen Musota, Justice Madrama Christopher Martin Izama and one Justice of the Court of appeal Justice Eva Luswata Lubwama who had earlier taken their oaths and were today only introduced to President Museveni.

Justice Oscar John Kihika  of the court of appeal was sworn-in  at the same ceremony presided over by the Principal Judge Sarah Langa Siu.

The President congratulated the newly appointed Judges and commended the Chief Justice Hon. Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny Dollo for improving the performance of the Judiciary.

“I really congratulate the new Judges and I want to thank the Chief Justice for the passion he has put in making the judiciary effective,” he said.

President Museveni took the judges through the economic history of the country pointing out that the economy had virtually collapsed. He said the British had left behind what they dubbed at the University as an enclave economy of 3 Cs (Coffee, Copper and Cotton and 3 Ts (Tobacco, Tea and Tourism). 

He added that when NRM came to power in 1986 the government aimed at reversing the whole process and concentrated on 4 principal areas that were minimum recovery, expansion of the economy, its diversification and promoting qualitative economy based on knowledge like the innovation of electric mobility.

He stressed that diagnostical analysis of society is always done by the political leadership that include the Executive, Legislature and the Judiciary who act as medical Doctors observing that if the diagnosis is wrongly done the economy will collapse but if done correctly the economy will flourish.

On some of the concerns raised by the judicial officers especially those bearing some financial implications in the judiciary, President Museveni pledged to convene a meeting of all the arms of government to collectively agree on how to pave the way forward for further improvement of their performance. 

The Hon. Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny Dollo thanked President Museveni for his unwavering support that has changed the performance of the Judiciary for the better.

“With the enhanced budget we have been able to double the number of judicial officers,” he said.
He added that high court circuits were created in Moroto, Tororo, Iganga, Bulemezi, Rukungiri and in Hoima.

The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Hon. Norbert Mao thanked President Museveni for his support to the Judiciary noting that services have tremendously improved.

“We have received unprecedented support from you personally, the Executive and Parliament as manifested in the improved terms of service and improved infrastructural development,” he noted.

He also observed that enhanced budget manifests that there will be less dependence on donors. The Justice Minister announced that the new structure of the judiciary is in the offing to ensure that Judges appointed have the necessary support.

He however was very grateful for the support given to his Ministry since assuming office.

“In the 4 months I have been in office I have noted with relief and pleasure that there is very little friction between the Judiciary and other branches of the Government. The Tenure of Judges and the terms specified. We feel that there is greater respect for Judges he said.

The ceremony was also attended by the Deputy Chief Justice Hon. Justice Richard Buteera, the Principal Judge Dr. Justice Flavian Zeija, the Chairman of the Judicial Service Commission Justice Benjamin Kabito and the Deputy Head of Public Service Mrs. Dora Katuramu.

Others included the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Mr. Pius Bigirimana and the Judicial Fraternity among others.

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Parliament to investigate Shs588 billion tax exemptions

By
Our Reporter
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Parliament

Butambala County Legislator Muwanga Kivumbi was unamused by the majority report, and noted that government could be losing well up to Shs8 trillion in tax exemptions, which he said makes no sense in light of budgeting constraints occasioned by pressures on the national resource envelope.

“We have almost Shs8 trillion in tax exemptions; we have just highlighted a few; others are getting corporation tax holidays, which are taxes on profits…they come here, they get free electricity and land, and then they do not pay tax,” he said.

The shadow minister listed some entities against the proposed exemptions they are to get, which totaled to Shs588 billion, a figure he said should be collected to finance the budget.

“If we can recover only Shs4 trillion from the tax exemptions, we can balance our budget and implement it; it is about time we launched an inquiry into tax exemptions in Uganda,” said MP Muwanga Kivumbi.

On account of this, Deputy Speaker Tayebwa said since there is a committee established by Parliament to look into the tax exemptions for Bujagali Hydropower Project, the same committee can look into all exemptions.

“We have a committee to look into the tax exemptions of Bujagali; we should not go into the budget cycle without the report; if you have done a good job, we shall give you the other entities to also look at expeditiously in two weeks,” said Tayebwa.

Go slow on ambitious budget

The majority committee report called for a go-slow on the nearly Shs50 trillion projected budget for Financial Year 2023/24.

In its report on the National Budget Framework Paper presented, committee deputy chairperson, Hon. Ignatius Wamakuyu Mudimi, said the resource envelope may not be sufficient to cover planned expenditures.

“…it will be necessary to put planning and budgeting on a more fiscally realistic path due to the current global economic challenges,” said Hon. Wamakuyu Mudimi.

Whereas the committee noted a projected Shs1.8 trillion increase in domestic revenue mobilisation efforts, it worries that a big chunk of the budget will go to debt and statutory payments, further leaving near to nothing for actual development work.

Of the Shs49.9 trillion that will be on the table for distribution, already 64.1 per cent of that is likely to be channeled to debt and recurrent expenditure, leaving only 35.9 per cent for development expenditure, which has the potential of positively impacting economic growth.

“The proposed resource prioritisation is very worrying and could indicate that our fiscal operations may not be sustainable in the long run as debt-related payments continue to take the lion’s share of the budget,” he said.

Even then, noted the committee, the biggest chunk of the development budget goes into infrastructure, which the committee said may not be very sustainable in alleviating rising poverty and unemployment.

The focus, said the committee deputy chairperson, should be evenly put on both human capital development initiatives to improve the quality of life.

“The committee recommends that there is need to strike a balance between and human capital development as well as re-engage development partners especially under the programme of human capital development; investments in social sectors especially health, education and social protection have a direct impact on poverty and income inequality,” he said.

Substantive debate on the matter is slated for Tuesday, 31 January 2023.

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The ICC obnoxious warrants of arrest, bungled investigations, peace in Darfur and Sudan’s sanctions

By
Guest Writer
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UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres

By Dr. David Nyekorach-Mazi Matsanga

Dear Secretary General,

Peace Greetings

1.  Mr. Secretary General, the ICC Chief Prosecutor AA Karim Khan presented his report to UNSC today 25th January 202. This is a routine report to the UNSC about the situation in DARFUR and SUDAN in general. Sudan is currently walking on a tight rope and at the edge of a precipice on matters concerning ICC and its involvement in the Darfur victims’ justice and reconciliation matters.

2.   Mr. Secretary General, I want to state from the onset that I respect International Jurisdiction that gives justice to all not selected Justice. The manner in which ICC investigated most AFRICAN situations leaves a lot to be desired and must BE INVESTIGATED THROUGH A PUBLIC INQUIRY  .

3.  Mr. Secretary General,  all African cases before the ICC Chambers from the first one in my country Uganda up to the current pending ones were BUNGLED BY INVESTIGATORS and THE EVIDENCE FAKED by the former Chief Prosecutors LUIS MORENO OCAMPO , and FATOU BENSOUNDA . They acted on behalf of INTERNATIONAL TAXPAYERS and are supposed to be ANSWERED to the world.

4.  Mr. Secretary General the cases of  Libya , Sudan , Kenya , Ivory Coast , Democratic Republic of Congo, Central Africa Republic , Burundi , and other situations in Africa had a similar PATTERN OF DECEIT and WITNESS PROCUREMENT by the previous OTP Chief Prosecutors and the world cannot seek Justice while forgetting INJUSTICES  committed against individuals and countries based on DECEIT of the  former Chief Prosecutors at the OTP. 

5.   Mr. Secretary General truth be told, the two previous Chief Prosecutors of ICC destroyed the image of the ICC in front the international community . The first Chief Prosecutor  was corrupt , a money launderer ,addicted gambler , who gambled away over $17million dollars that was  being managed by his Personal Assistant who later on bribed her way to the Apex of the ALTAR  of International Justice.

6.   Mr. Secretary General I have attached evidence how I struggled to bring to the notice of the TYPE OF MAFIA OPERATIONS that surrounded all African cases.

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 “I refer you to my Public Redacted Version – Prosecution’s comments on the “CONFIDENTIAL APPLICATION WITH CONFIDENTIAL ANNEXES OF DR. DAVID NYEKORACH- MATSANGA FOR THE DISQUALIFICATION OF THE PROSECUTOR PURSUANT TO ARTICLE 42(8) OF THE STATUTE”

ICC-01/09-90-Red -13 September 2012 | Office of the Prosecutor”

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7.   Mr Secretary General the  second Chief Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda just made matters worse at the OTP by further taking on cases that were BUNGLED and with faked  evidence , coverups and total abuse of office . The amount of Injustices done by the OTP top officials  have never been put under a PUBLIC INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION OF INQUIRY to ascertain the TRUTH about the allegations . 

8.   Mr. Secretary General from the above it would be UNFAIR to those wrongly accused like the case of Sudan DARFUR Situation where WITNESSES were PROCURED , AIRLIFTED , & Given INCENTIVES to LIE against General Bashir and others in the cases before ICC which the new Chief Prosecutor Mr. A A . KARIM KHAN has just briefed the UNSC on the same .

 9.   Mr. Secretary General the ICC SUSPECTS in all AFRICAN CASES have suffered SIMILAR  FATES and have had  no recourse to international mechanism of RESTITUTION. The Sudan DARFUR ICC investigations were a complete SHAM. They involved bribery of the witnesses and the investigators from the OTP were compromised. It is sad that most supporters of the court are adamant that justice must take its course.

10.   Mr. Secretary General over 70 years Hitler killed millions and up to date we still prosecute the Nazi Criminals and seek justice.  Why have we covered UP the BAD ACTS of both ICC OTP namely LUIS MORENO OCAMPO & FATOU BENSOUDA who violated ARTICLE 70 without REPRIMAND.

11.   Mr. Secretary General there are a number of reasons for the IMMEDIATE DIRECT EMPLOYERS of ICC OTP to be cautious and concerned about the effect the ICC Africa’s bungled and doctored cases . The EFFECTS of these cases have DESTROYED THE IMAGE of the ICC in The Hague with diverstating consequences on the MERITS to handle and proceed with the DARFUR situation which could affect the   national sovereignty and political situation in Sudan.

12.   Mr. Secretary General, it is my greatest belief that ICC is an intruder whose presence should not be-allowed or welcomed in Africa in the FORMAT I have mentioned above. To me, it is INJUSTICE to continue PERSECUTING and DISMEMBERING SUDAN without an INDEPENDENT PUBLIC  INQUIRY into the serious FLAWS committed by the FORMER PROSECUTORS.

13.  Mr. Secretary General, the ICC is tagged as   a neocolonial Kangaroo court only keen to target, prosecute, and persecute Africans. I must hasten to add that I have not said PEOPLE did not DIE, NO, people died but the WAY the cases were INVESTIGATED was wrong.  Looking at the ICC data base, one finds 90% of the ICC cases are coming from African continent.

14.   Mr. Secretary General there are hard questions that need answers and the international community need to know .Why has the UNSC not ORDERED for investigation into Iraq where the former Prime Minister Tony Blair  and General Colin Powell & FAKED DOSSIERS and killed millions?

15.   Mr. Secretary General, the ICC case of Sudan has the most basic principles of international law where cannot be bound by a treaty to which it is not a party. Further, the long-standing international legal norms hold that a state cannot be bound to legal assertions that it has specifically rejected. Why is U.S.A. and France pushing forward for Bashir’s blood yet they cannot accuse Bush or  Sarkozy for their Crimes .

16.   Mr. Secretary General , seeking to impose international legal requirements and jurisdiction on unwilling sovereign states is unsupportable, and a clear contravention of the same international law. It also has significant implications for states that are unable or unwilling to ratify the Rome Statue establishing the ICC.U.S.A. , Russia, China, India .

17.  Mr. Secretary General the Sudanese leadership have asked for sanctions to be removed and now instead of the removal of these sanctions America and other Permanent UNSC members are using the ICC as like in the stick and carrot politics.  Most of the countries have bolted out of ICC?

18.  Mr. Secretary General,  the  most principal and most likely only reason America pursued Article 98 agreements was out of concern that the ICC could be used as a tool by those opposed to its foreign policy to make political statements through ICC prosecutions. Why then pressure the Sudan to follow the ICC route when U.S.A. the biggest violator of same crimes else is not brought book? 

19.  Mr .Secretary General,supporters of the ICC and those who live in denial disparage some of us and  want General Bashir to be handed over to the ICC in The Hague . This is unnecessary. I want to state here  that the fact of the matter is that ICC is a fire breathing dragon that could further disintegrate Sudan.

TRUTH & FACTS

20. Mr.  Secretary General, one of the objectives of  ICC was  to protect and keep peace in the world . But the organization has been abused by unscrupulous countries like USA that have failed to Ratify the 1998 Rome Treaty under Article 98 of ICC Statute. Most of the  ICC cases from Africa were and are politically motivated by countries that cannot be indicted by ICC .

22.   Mr. Secretary General they USA has used ICC to settle old scores, no doubt this is already evident in Sudan. The USA is behind the current malaise that has destroyed Sudan . Peace has grown in DARFUR and Sudanese are living together as Sudanese . The AU Mbeki Mediation Team worked hard and restored a REDEMPTION STRATEGY in Sudan . Why then do we USE  UN MSC to have further sanctions on Sudan?

23.   Mr.Secretary General, a nother issue I would like to raise with the UNSC through the YOU is the ICC’s relative lack of checks and balances to prevent the OTP from being misused in future .The ICC represents a dangerous temptation for those with evil political axes to grind on African states like Sudan.

24.  If the UN Secretary General is in doubt and  is too blind to see this, let UN look at the question of Israel. Despite the fact that Israel is not a party to the Rome Statute, the ICC prosecutor AA KARIM KHAN  is reportedly exploring ways to prosecute Israeli commanders for alleged war crimes committed during the recent actions in Gaza. But the same UNSC is divided on the Israel question . Why then push for Sudan case?

25. Mr.Secretary General the current situation in Sudan raises other side issues why the Military took power . It’s a CAN of worms that precipitates a crisis that should  be left solely to the people of Sudan and its governance  to solve. The ICC should cut its journey short in Sudan .

26.  Mr.Secretary General , fake indictment against Omar al-Bashir for his alleged involvement in crimes committed in Darfur aggravated the situation in Sudan and could today again lead to the disintegration of  the country like Somalia . The new Chief Prosecutor of ICC took over FAKE case of Sudan which already carry the burden of Darfur atrocities . This burden can’t rest only on the shoulders of one individual -Bashir . There’s an African adage that goes, ” He who will hold another down in the mud  must stay in the mud to keep him down.”

27.  Mr.Secretary General the renewed powers to ICC through the UNSC goes on against Sudan and against the will of the Government which I raised above as FAKED EVIDENCE . These could  destabilizes Sudan, it could also rekindle the conflict that could sink the already fragile country into further bloodshed. The  daily demonstration could get fuel from the ICC new powers to engage in the ICC cases of DARFUR .

29.  These dangers are real and not imaginary, they will spur most African countries near Sudan , which would bear the most immediate consequences of a more chaotic Sudan. Chapter VII Article 39,40 will be threatened by the same UNSC that should safeguard it .

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Mr. Secretary General , it is my clarion call on the UN Security Council to quash the indictment and leave the matter in the hands of Sudan Courts and  defer the al-Bashir prosecution for the sake of Peace in the region.

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30.  Mr. Secretary General Sudan should not be used as an experiment of U.S.A. disgraced Foreign policy . It is interesting to see major countries like USA ,China, India, and Russia not members of ICC but they wielded  huge powers and say during the Sudan indictment .

31.   Mr.Secretary General most of these countries that voted to indict Bashir  have refused to ratify the Rome Statute out of concern that it unduly infringes on their foreign, and security policy decisions issues, rightly reserved to sovereign governments.

32.  As I rest my case, my questions to the leadership of UNSC are many but I will stick to one important one . What is more important for the world order? PEACE in DARFUR and the whole Sudan or Chaos? 

33.   Mr. Secretary General why  Chapter VII is going to be violated by the same UNSC through the actions of ICC Chief Prosecutor by destabilizing the  Sudan?  Why should the authorities in Khartoum handover GENERAL BASHIR TO STAND A FAKED TRIAL , CORRUPTED THROUGH PROCURED WITNESSES , WITH FLAWED  INVESTIGATION OF DARFUR ?  :

34.  CHAPTER VII: Action with Respect to Threats to the Peace, Breaches of the Peace, and Acts of Aggression (Articles 39-51) The ICC ACTIONS IN SUDAN DARFUR COULD TRIGGER A NEW THREAT OF WAR IN SAHEL REGION .

35.  Mr.Secretary General I end my letter by submitting that the only CURE & MEDICINE LEFT AT UN DISPOSAL INTO THE FLAWED ICC INVESTIGATIONS in African cases is TO SET UP an INDEPENDENT INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION IF INQUIRY INTO THE CONDUCT OF THE PAST ICC OTP CONDUCT AND ABUSE PLUS MISUSE OF ICC OTP OFFICE BY USA & FRANCE for INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL EXPEDIENCY.

36.   Mr. Secretary General are you the only visitor in Jerusalem who can’t see the hand of U.S.A. and France in the SERIOUS CONFLICTS in the Sahel region of Africa  ? Smell the coffee and wake up! If other Africans are SILENT I will not be silent while our continent is kept in HEADLINES for wrong reasons .

Thanks

God bless Africa & United Nation

Dr. David Nyekorach -Mazi Matsanga

Founder & Chairman

Pan African Forum (UK) Ltd

London United Kingdom

25.01.2023

CC

1. To all UNSC  Members .

2.The Foreign&Commonwealth office UK 

3.The Presidency of Sudan

4. AU Chairperson Dr.Mahat Faki

5. All AU Member states

6. EAC Secretary General

7. IGAD Secretariat

8. SADC Secretariat

9. ECOWAS Secretariat

 10. OTP ICC Chief Prosecutor

11. Prof.David Hoile United Kingdom

12. Chief Charles TAKU (My international Lawyer )

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NSSF collects Shs121 billion in January 2023

By
Simon Kabayo
-
Mr Patrick Ayota, Deputy Managing  Director, NSSF

The National Social Security Fund (NSSF) has collected Shs121 billion for the period of January 1 to 24, 2023 compared to the same period last year where Shs94 billion was collected – translating to a 24 per cent increment.

Mr Patrick Ayota, NSSF’s Deputy Managing Director, revealed this during a press briefing on Wednesday morning while updating members and the general public on the state of the Fund as of December 31, 2022.

The Fund was worth Shs17.88 trillion as of December 31, 2022, with 78% invested in fixed income, 15% in equities and 7% in real estate.

Ayota said the Fund’s portfolio mix is informed by three key factors namely; the long-term funding needs, the need for diversification, and the reduction of market risk.

Contributions have increased by 22% from Shs643 billion in December 2021 to Shs786 in December 2022 against this financial year target of Shs1,630 billion.

In terms of investments, Ayota said the realized income was Shs1.054 trillion, adding that the budget they had for that was about Shs900 billion meaning the Fund got about Shs100 billion more in realized income.

Benefits paid to qualifying members increased by 96% to Shs712 billion in December 2022 from Shs364 billion over the same period last Financial Year.

“For Assets Under Management, we started the year with Shs17.65 trillion and ended at Shs17.88 trillion as of the end of December. Between July and December, there has been Shs600 billion growth in the Fund’s asset base,” he added.

The Amendment Bill assented to by President Museveni has had a positive effect in terms of new recruitment of members to the Fund. 2,078 employers have been registered over the last six months. This is an increase of about 113% compared to the same period last Financial Year.

“67,277 employees have been registered over the last six months. This is an increase of about 32.5% compared to the same period last Financial Year when the Fund registered only 50,762 employees,” Ayota confirmed.

For the rest of the year, Ayota expects to hit the targets of Shs1,630 billion in contributions, Shs1,947 billion in realized income, Shs1,278 billion in benefits and Shs18,988 trillion for the fund’s asset base.

“The Amendment act gave the Fund two mandates; to expand social security coverage and ensure compliance. To fulfill this mandate, the Fund has developed a plan that revolves around two pillars which are creating the capacity of Ugandans to save and creating a willingness by Ugandans to save,” Ayota said.

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