6,374 motorcycles were impounded country-wide in the last two days in the crackdown operation, the spokesperson for the Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety, Faridah Nampiima has confirmed.

She said the operation, which is geared towards ensuring road safety, will continue until all boda-boda riders abide by the traffic police regulations.

“We are on day three of the operation on motorcycles, mainly targeting crash/safety helmets and retro-reflective jackets. A total number of 4,926 EPS tickets were issued to offenders while 1,448 motorcycles are pending at the stations,” she said.

Nampiima also thanked the general public for their support and the riders who have complied. 

The operation came after the police released a compilation of CCTV footage of boda-boda accidents in Kampala and its suburbs which claimed people’s lives.

Boda-boda accidents remain the largest contributor to fatal accidents, in which at least an average of 1,918 people are killed annually, according to the 2021 Annual Crime and Traffic/Road Safety report. This stands at an average of four deaths per day.

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The 2022 National Science Week kicked off yesterday at the Kololo Airstrip, and will run until 10^th November. This year’s Science week spans a series of events including a public exhibition showcasing Ugandan innovations, an Investor Summit to drive investment into Ugandan science technology and innovation ventures and various topical panel discussions bringing together various players within the science, and technology and innovation value chain.

“Science and technology hold the key to the present and future development of Uganda and as a government, we are aware that to escape from poverty, investment in science and technology education is the key. This annual event is important as it brings together various players within the value chain to chart a way forward for Uganda’s science, technology and innovation,” said Dr Monica Musenero, the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation during the official opening of the Science Week.

Running under the theme,“Uganda in 2040; The Future We Want Through Science Technology & Innovation”, the event is open to the general public and attendance is free of charge.

Over 200 exhibitors in Science, Technology and Innovation – specifically in the fields of Pathogen Economy. Aeronautics and Space Science; The Future of Infrastructure; Industry 4.0; Mobility and Productivity Acceleration, Import Substitution; Export Promotion and the science of support services.

These showcased innovations such as vaccine development, robotics, agricultural value addition and food products, pesticides, the future of green mobility through automotive innovation, and vehicle manufacturing, among others.

“This year’s theme is tied to the future we envision for Uganda as we all need to acknowledge the need for innovation to drive national and economic development. Technological advancement drives economic growth and global competitiveness with at least 50% of global economic development being attributable to innovations and investment in science, technology and innovation,” Dr Musenero added.

To address the challenge of funding for early-stage science, technology and innovation ventures, the National Science Week will host a Science, Technology and Innovation Investor Summit. Attendance from key financial players including venture capitalists and commercial banks is expected.

“We are proactively paving the way for our science, technology and innovation start-ups to secure the funding they require for viable projects. Through this event, we will act as a bridge and provide a platform for innovators to pitch their ideas to potential investors and secure the support they need,” Dr.Musenero noted.

The Science Week will culminate in a closing ceremony on 10^th November over which H.E the President will preside.

This year, the National Science Week will majorly focus on Aeronautics and Space Science; Mobility (Indigenous Motor Vehicle Manufacturing); Pathogen Economy; Industry 4.0+; Infrastructure Innovation; Productivity Acceleration; Import Substitution; and Export Targeted Science, Technology and Innovation.

The 2019 Global Innovation Index ranked Uganda 102 out of 129 countries, lagging behind Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania in 77^th, 94^th and 97^th place, respectively.

According to NDP III, the government will invest in the development of a solid eco-system by incorporating science education in primary, secondary and university curricula thereby making science and technology accessible at all levels of learning, partnerships between university research institutions and industry to make it attractive for human capital development and raising awareness of how research can drive high technology innovation and wealth creation.

“Through this activity, we intend to create awareness of value addition resulting from science, technology and innovation, foster strategic partnerships with various stakeholders including the public and private sector, and enhance the market potential of indigenous products in the region and globally to enhance Uganda’s competitiveness both within the region and globally,” Dr Musenero said.

The National Science Week is organised by The Secretariat of Science Technology and Innovation (STI) in the Office of the President which takes the lead in integrating STI into the national economy in order to drive development.

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Speaker Anita Among has directed the Minister for Health to table before the House evidence that allowances of medical interns have been paid.

This followed several disputing statements from Members of Parliament after the State Minister for Health, Margaret Muhanga informed the House that the interns had called off the strike after being paid.

“Dentists and doctors were paid shs2.5 million, pharmacists shs2 million and nurses and midwives shs1.5 million,” said Muhanga.

The Minister, however, attributed the delay in payment to less funding to the ministry

“July and August were paid from the first quarter but releases were inadequate and thus, we paid September and October in this quarter,” Muhanga added.

However, Buikwe South MP Lulume Bayigga disputed the minister saying that he had been in a meeting of the health committee where the interns asserted that they had not been paid. “They told us that they have not called off the strike, and they have not been met by the Ministry of Health,” he said.

Kole North MP, Samuel Opio said that the medical interns also raised concerns about salary discrepancies which have not been addressed.

“The President directed that the interns be paid half of the salaries of their seniors but the Ministry of Health has decided to apply their own salary scale,” Opio said.

Speaker Among directed the minister to lay before the House documentation to show that the interns had been paid. “It is not fair to say that these people have been paid when they haven’t. You rather pay them first before paying MPs,” she said.

The Speaker noted that the strike by the interns came at a risky time and urged government to ensure the matter is solved.

“The timing of this strike is worrying especially with the outbreak of Ebola and all other sicknesses,” she said.

The Leader of the Opposition, Matthias Mpuuga observed that the delay to remunerate intern doctors has affected health service in hospitals across the country.

“People are complaining about patients not attended to because somebody is casually attending to duty. This is unacceptable. Will the Minister give information to the House on how many lives were lost and who is accountable for this criminal negligence,” Mpuuga said.

The Speaker also tasked the Prime Minister to present an update to the House on the establishment of the Salary Review Commission.

The Minister for Public Service, Muruli Mukasa said the appointment of the Commission’s Board Members is in its final stages and the names will be presented to Parliament in two weeks.

“The discussions on the Salary Review Commission are almost concluded through Cabinet and the Board shall be presented to Parliament in two weeks,” Muruli Mukasa said.

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Parliament has granted Bukoto West Member of Parliament, Muhammad Ssentayi leave to introduce the Consumer Protection and Management Bill.

Although the proposal was meant to be presented by the Chairperson of the Committee on Trade, Tourism and Industry, Mr. Mwine Mpaka, the Speaker Anita Among used her discretion to suspend the rule to allow Ssentayi to present.

Ssentayi who moved the motion on Tuesday, November 8, 2022 said that the enactment of a consumer protection law in Uganda will enable the setting of standards for the quality, safety and reliability of goods.

He said that the bill will provide for remedies actionable in law in case of non-compliance with those standards as well as prohibit unfair or misleading trade practices.

Ssentayi stated that the failure to enact legislation that specifically provides for the legal protection of consumers in Uganda will continue to undermine the quality of goods produced and supplied in Uganda.

He said that this will also put consumers in a weaker position than those with whom they deal, depriving them of their money’s worth and product value and continuing to escalate the violation of the right to equal protection under the law.

Ssentayi added that currently, the laws regulating the protection of consumers are scattered.
“A consumer protection law is necessary to offer protection to consumers not only against fraud and dishonesty in commercial dealings but also oppressive bargains and qualitatively deficient goods and services,” he said.

Buhweju County MP Francis Mwijukye said the bill will help in standardization and dealing with consumer exploitation.

He said that those who are aggrieved can now seek redress because of this bill.
“We have had a situation where the government directs banks not to increase interest, and loan officers not to exploit people, but this is still happening. We believe we need this law to promote fairness and equity,” he said.

Although government through the Deputy Attorney General, Mr. Jackson Kafuuzi sought to halt the process of introducing the bill stating that the government was also in the process of preparing the bill, Speaker Anita Among ruled that the process continues.

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Dr. Miria Koburunga Matembe has prayed for the Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa and asked God to remove any wrong person around him.

“I want to thank you Lord for your son, the Right Honorable Thomas Tayebwa,” Dr. Matembe prayed during a courtesy call to the deputy speaker on Tuesday.

Dr. Matembe who worked in the Ugandan government as Minister for Ethics and Integrity from 1998 to 2003, after which time she became a member of the Pan-African Parliament representing Uganda said Tayebwa who is only 41, holds a position of great responsibility and that he needs God’s guidance and protection.

“I was telling him that at his age, he is equal to my third born but you have been able to give him this position of Honor and responsibility Lord God. Because your word says that all authority comes from you. I want to pray that you continue to bless him in this seat,” she prayed, asking God that “you make him like David”.

“That in his heart, you put it in him like David decided to shepherd his people with a skilful hand and integrity of the heart. Will you give him that integrity of heart that you gave to your King, whom you loved most, King David,” Dr Matembe, who was a member of the Constitutional Commission that created the Ugandan Constitution prayed.

She petitioned God to bless whatever the Deputy Speaker touches and also guide him all the time that “he looks to you all the time.”

‘May you give him an undivided heart that he may fear you with all his heart and praise you forever. May you protect him, May you guide him, May you be his rock forever,” Dr. Matembe, a strong proponent for and an advocate of women’s rights in Uganda said in a prayer to God.

Dr. Matembe has been a lecturer of law and English at the Chartered Institute of Bankers, also in Kampala.

A lawyer by profession, Matembe is also the author of several articles and a book, Miria Matembe: Gender, Politics, and Constitution Making in Uganda, on women in politics.

Dr. Matembe is a former member of the Pan-African Parliament.

While serving there, she was chairperson of the Committee on Rules, Privileges and Discipline, a permanent committee of the parliament.

Tayebwa said Dr. Matembe’s prayer was motherly and thanked her for interceding for him.

“Our personal prayers can move mountains, but the most powerful of all; the sincerest; the most effective prayer is one from a mother. When mothers pray, God listens. Thank you Mama Miria Matembe for interceding for me; for turning my office into the Lord’s meeting venue. Amen!, Tayebwa wrote on Twitter.

Dr. Matembe’s endorsement of Deputy Speaker comes only two days after the West Ankole Diocese Bishop, Rev. Johnson Twinomujuni backed Tayebwa’s firm position on homosexuality and abortion.

Bishop Twinomujuni described both practices as unchristian and ungodly.

Bishop Twinomujuni, a critic of homosexuality also praised Tayebwa’s resolve to protect the Ugandan and Church values and moral fibre intact amid mounting pressure from the western world.

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