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Free health services go for a cost at KCCA Kisenyi Health Centre IV

By
Our Reporter
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KCCA Kisenyi Health Centre IV

Located on Muwanga II Road in Kesenyi, a slam in Kampala, Kisenyi Health Centre IV is nestled adjacent to Tawhid Islamic Nursery. The health facility is bare two kilometers east of Lubiri-Mengo and one kilometer west of Old Kampala Mosque.  

Opened in 2014, Kisenyi Health Centre IV is one of the eight health facilities managed by the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA). The eight health facilities serve over 1,200 patients every day. Kisenyi Health Centre IV serves residents of Mengo, Kisenyi, Nankulabye, Katwe and the surrounding areas.

It offers a range of services which include; Ante-Natal care, an HIV Clinic, Out Patients Department (OPD), a dental clinic and a Tuberculosis unit.

Following the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, and its subsequent effects coupled with the economic hardships which resulted from the soaring prices of fuels and the raging war between Russia and Ukraine, Kampala city dwellers have been forced to cut back on their consumption and reverting to government health facilities for free medical services.

Since last month, Eagle Online made a deliberate decision to track all hurdles patients go through in pursuit of free health services at the different government-designated hospitals. For the few health facilities that Eagle Online toured, our reporters were irritated by the horrible experiences narrated by patients.

Eagle Online team established that doctors are overwhelmed by the number of patients, and pregnant and postnatal mothers sleeping on the floors of the hospitals, the team also learned of the gripping levels of corruption at Kawempe, Mulago and Naguru Hospitals.

Eagle Online did a spot check on Kisenyi Health Centre IV. The health center is located in Kisenyi off Namirembe road. Arriving at the gate superintended by private security guards, patients are welcomed by dozens of hawkers selling masks. Patients and caregivers from all corners walk through the gate to various clinics for healthcare. Some patients chose to sanitize while others wash their hands at the hand-washing point before accessing the hospital.

On accessing the health facility, you can’t the visitor’s gaze at pregnant women rooming around with one or both of their hands supporting their backs while others loiter with mama kits in their hands. The women reportedly walk around as their time nears for safe delivery and avoid the caesarian section.

Located on the first floor, this reporter visited the maternity ward where it found dozens of mothers waiting to bring lives. Unlike other hospitals Eagle Online Visited, Kisenyi has not overcrowded however the free government health services go for a cost.

In tandem, Eagle Online visited the postnatal ward on level one where the reporter saw atleast four free beds. A postnatal mother who safely delivered on Wednesday, August 31st, 2022 said she paid Shs 100,000 to be attended to.

“I was brought in on Tuesday. The nurses asked for my personal details and they were availed to her. They asked us to show them our Mama kit which my husband did and later asked how much money we have brought them. My husband negotiated with her and paid a tune of Shs 100,000. She initially wanted Shs 150,000 but my husband pleaded with her and she settled for Shs 100, 000,” she said adding, “There are no free services here except consultations,”

Another mother said the nurses are good because they have no fixed amount of money for patients who seek health services. “It depends on your ability to negotiate. We paid Shs 70,000 not because we didn’t have money but my husband negotiated with the nurse who was on duty,” said a mother who delivered on Tuesday, August 30th, 2022.

She said when another nurse reported on duty she was briefed that I had paid some money and I was accorded extra care. She said those who decline or fail to pay to suffer harsh conditions and at times sleep on the floor after delivering babies.

Our reporters later proceeded to the antenatal area, located on the second floor of the facility. They found huge numbers of pregnant mothers being taken through an awareness and sensitization session before seeing gynecologists. Due to the limited space, some mothers attended while standing as a few of them sited on the floor.

At the Outpatient Department (OPD) located on the same floor, the Eagle Online team saw huge numbers of patients waiting to be attended to. Many of them were seen taking their kilograms and height while other agonizing patients looked on. Unlike other health facilities, at Kisenyi Health Center IV every patient is required to buy an exercise book where his personal details and prescribed medicine is written.

Our reporter sought medical services however he was bounced back for not carrying a book with him. “Buy a book or go home because I have nowhere to write your details,” the officer at OPD said adding, “there are prescription forms.”

Our reporter however learned from the visiting patients that that is the culture, castrated his ego, and bought a book at a small shop adjacent to the gate but within the facility. The reporter went through the whole process at OPD and proceeded to Mental Health Clinic for help.

Speaking to one of the caregivers of a patient at the mental clinic, she said they are regular visitors of the facility. “My son is sick, he has a mental problem. We have been coming here since last year and at times he gets better. Gentleman what are you suffering from?” the caregiver asked

To fit in the group the reporter said is suffering from severe headaches and forgetting so easily/ dementia, however, warned him that there are no free drugs at the facility.

To cut the cost of buying drugs, the caregiver urged the reporter to expound on the option of giving a little pay to the nurse/doctor and getting a full dose of drugs. After a long time of waiting, the reporter ditched the plan to see the doctor.

The reporter later camped at the seats just opposite the Mental Clinic (Within the facility) to seek other patients’ experiences with the services offered. A patient who joined our reporter nearly 25 minutes said he chips in at the facility for a checkup after involving in a nasty accident earlier this year.

He said the time he spent in the facility, he didn’t get free medication. He bought everything starting from cotton wool.

“I came here because I can’t afford to pay private doctors. The beauty about this facility is that you get a free checkup and then prescribed that right medicine to take,” he said

The patients decried Nurses’/doctors’ tendencies of delaying attending to them. “You come at 7:00 only to be attended to at 9:30 am at OPD.  Buy the time you see a doctor it is already noon,” one of the patients said at OPD

A nurse who declined to be named because she is not the official communications manager said there is no corruption at the health facility and to emphasize that, KCCA mounted Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) all over the hospital.

“We receive medical supplies but because we serve a huge number of patients, within two or fewer weeks you will find that there are no drugs,” she said

Eagle Online contacted the Minister of Health Dr. Jane Aceng and the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Health Dr. Diana Atwine however they didn’t pick up nor return our calls.

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Sweden, SNV, CEDAT and PSFU partner to Catalyse Energy Efficiency Markets in Uganda

By
Our Reporter
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L-R: Peace Kansiime, IMEU Project manager, Hon Peter Lokeris, State Minister for Energy, Phomolo Maphosa, SNV Uganda Country Director and Ola Hällgren, the Head of Cooperation at the Embassy of Sweden

Close to 90% of the population in Uganda cooks on open fires or inefficient cookstoves, causing significant health risks, and damage to the climate due to harmful emissions and deforestation. Including energy efficiency in the national planning process could increase energy access to 6 million rural customers and reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 10.6 million tonnes by 2030.

While Agriculture contributes 24% to Uganda’s National Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and its growth is projected to increase from 3.8% to 7% in the National Development Plan III (NDPIII), there is little mention of the energy efficiency factor, yet it is a critical element to achieving this growth.

Consequently, to increase the development and adoption of energy-efficient products and services in agriculture and the built environment, SNV Netherlands Development Organisation (SNV)  together with the Makerere University College of Engineering, Design, Art, and Technology (CEDAT), and the Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU) have taken a major step to catalyze large-scale action and support needed for the transition to clean, affordable energy for all. Today marks the official launch of the Inclusive Markets for Energy Efficiency in Uganda (IMEU) Project. This launch is a culmination of a long drawn-out process of ideas, concepts, and fund mobilization. 

This is a 4-year initiative (2021-2025), funded by Sweden at a total cost of UGX31.8 Billion. This project will be implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development as the lead Government Institution, as well as other actors in the energy efficiency subsector. The initiative is designed to be as inclusive and extensive as possible so that when the project comes to an end, energy efficiency becomes embedded in everyday life and business activity. Ours is to demonstrate that this is possible, and it works and then the business can run with it.

IMEU interventions will be embedded in two sectors namely: Agriculture and the Built Environment. Their selection was based on the potential and opportunities that these two sectors present in terms of enhancing energy efficiency towards improved productivity, competitiveness, and resilience.

The Project will adopt a “Triple-Helix model” as its implementation model, which will involve key stakeholders from policymakers, the private sector and industry, academia, and civil society. The co-production used in the “Triple-Helix model” will address the limitation of feedback mechanisms in production and the use of knowledge to address societal challenges.

This approach also provides additional co-benefits to increase trust and social capital, both of which are important factors that can promote growth and contribute to improved governance.

SNV will lead project implementation, Makerere University (CEDAT) will take the lead on research, and PSFU will represent the voice of private sector actors.

“Let us all embrace energy efficiency as an integrated cost-effective option to achieving an inclusive low carbon and climate resilient development that supports people and businesses to thrive in a changing climate world,” says Phomolo Maphosa, Country Director, SNV Uganda.

“To increase access to clean and reliable energy in Uganda, it is important to have a holistic approach and to involve stakeholders at every level. We are pleased to support a project that brings a variety of actors together, actors that share a common objective, namely, to ensure energy is used more efficiently by small- and large-scale consumers alike,” says Ola Hällgren, the Head of Cooperation at the Embassy of Sweden.

 During the 4 years, IMEU plans to directly benefit 30,000 households, 328 SMEs, 52 Social Institutions, and 15 Energy Service Companies. Indirectly, we expect that at least 450,000 individuals will be positively impacted by the Project.

The key target areas are the agricultural (focus on agribusinesses and farmers’ cooperatives) and built environment (focus on households, businesses, and institutions), including selected value chains (dairy, tea, cereals, oil crops, horticulture) in different Agricultural Ecological Zones, rural communities, and cities.

IMEU will contribute to climate resilience and mitigation, the competitiveness of businesses, and the reduction of health risks in the built environment and agribusiness, by focusing on Increasing demand for energy-efficient products and services, Strengthening the supply of energy-efficient products and services to support SMEs and Strengthening knowledge, coordination, and the policy environment (enabling environment).

Direct beneficiaries of the project include Energy Service Companies (ESCOs) and Small and Medium-Scale Enterprises (SMEs) that supply energy efficiency products and services, households, institutions, (agri) businesses and cooperatives, women, and financial institutions. Indirect beneficiaries are smallholder farmers (to be reached through agribusinesses and cooperatives), and additional households, businesses, and institutions.

To achieve sustained impact, IMEU will deploy a well-balanced mix of financial and technical support to the energy efficiency markets through the project’s core component known as the Market Development Fund (MDF).

The Market Development Fund is a €2.1 million (UGX 7.8 Billion) Funding Facility aimed at piloting innovative models for supplying and adopting energy-efficient technologies and services; as well as growing and attracting private capital for sustained impact beyond the project period, which will run until November 2025.

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CONGO WAR: Kagame uses permanent interference in our internal affairs to maintain terror and loot – DRC

By
Richard Wanambwa
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Rwanda president Kagame and Congolese President Felix Antoine Tshisekedi

The Democratic Republic of Congo has accused Rwanda of being behind the armed rebels of M23 asking why a foreign country would defend a terrorist group operating in another country.

In a press release dated October 25, 2022, the DRC said it had taken note of the press release issued by the Rwandan Government on Monday October 24, 2022.

“The content of the press release reveals a new and clear irrefutable admission that Rwanda is backing the M23. Why else would a foreign government defend an armed terrorist group operation in another state? How can a national army be denied its legitimate duty to fulfill a constitutional mission of protecting its population and the legal institutions of the republic against terrorists whose only objective is to sow death and despair?” reads the release from DRC.

The Congolese authorities further questioned the attitude of Rwanda in Congo stating that their interest is to looting of the country’s resources.

“The attitude of the Rwandan President, Paul Kagame, sufficiently demonstrates his strategy of permanent interference in the internal affairs of the DRC to maintain climate of terror in the East, thus enabling widespread looting which has been recognized around the world”

The Congolese statement says Rwanda’s position contradicts its commitments made in the various peace processes in Nairobi, Luanda and in New York with the French President, Emmanuel Macron, where all parties agreed to put to an end the armed groups, particularly the M23. The government of the DRC reiterated that there is no public incitement to hatred on the basis of ethnicity as alleged by Rwanda but instead said “The dangerous narrative propagated by Rwanda aims to sow division within our population”.

“If the M23 were truly defenders of a Congolese community, people would not be so displaced nor would so many die because of its barbarity. The government of the DRC categorically denounces the dishonest rhetoric of Rwanda and its military activities on Congolese soil, and reminds the Rwandan government that its interventionist and expansionist ambitions will never be tolerated”.

The Kigali government in an October 24, 2022 press release had accused Congolese President Felix Antoine Tshisekedi of not honoring his word on the peace process but instead has pushed for military escalation.

“Contrary to the assertion of the President of DRC that his country is focused on a diplomatic solution to insecurity in Eastern DRC, recent statements and actions show that the DRC government has decided on a course of continued military escalation. Furthermore, FARDC continues to operate alongside irregular armed militias, including FDLR”

Rwanda further accused FARDC’s buildup to renew attacks on M23, a Congolese armed group which they claim was in total violation of the agreed regional security mechanisms.

“Despite continued provocation by DRC authorities and armed forces, Rwanda reiterates its firm commitment to contributing to a sustainable, peaceful regional security solution within the agreed regional frameworks. However, the continual, unjustified attempts to make Rwanda a scapegoat for the internal political problems of DRC will continue to be categorically rejected” reads the Kigali statement in part.

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ZTE reports gains in 9-month revenue and net profit

By
Our Reporter
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ZTE Corporation (0763.HK / 000063.SZ), a global leading provider of information and communication technology solutions, today has posted its financial results for the third quarter of 2022.

According to the results, for the nine months ended 30 September 2022, ZTE has achieved operating revenue of RMB 92.56 billion, increasing by 10.4% as compared with the same period last year. During the period, net profit attributable to holders of ordinary shares of the listed company reached RMB 6.82 billion, an increase of 16.5%, and net profit after extraordinary items attributable to holders of ordinary shares of the listed company amounted to RMB 5.55 billion, representing a year-on-year increase of 55.3%. Basic earnings per share was RMB 1.44. 

In the first three quarters, ZTE, despite the challenges of the complex external environment, strove for steady progress by collaborating with its industry partners and practising its own positioning as a “driver of digital economy”. During the period, the company strengthened its key technology and product competitiveness, with R&D expense reaching RMB 16.11 billion, 17.4% of 9-month operating revenue.  

During the period, ZTE, while solidifying its position with innovative initiatives, built its comprehensive DICT product series and solutions in three dimensions, specifically, efficient digital infrastructure of “connection and computing power”, flexible and agile digital capabilities, and application innovation of APPs services.

With the wave of global digitalization and low-carbon development, ZTE achieved year-on-year growth with its operating revenue in both domestic and international markets and the three major businesses (carriers’ networks, government and enterprise, and consumer business) as well.

Moving forward, ZTE, confronted with the complex external environment, will stay committed to continuous innovations for its high-quality growth.

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NUP is sagging under the weight of gaffe-prone Bobi Wine

By
Guest Writer
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Ambassador Henry Mayega

By Ambassador Henry Mayega

National Unity Platform (NUP) and its right-thinking rank and file have been feuding over Bobi Wine’s galloping bravado that has manifested in form of a lack of knack to fully comprehend statecraft and international political dynamics. That Armageddon shaping up at NUP’s recessing political canvass is sucking out all the remaining elements of civility and it appears there are no visible signs of recovery.

First, a couple of months ago, NUP MPs turned down his plea to return the hot-button cash of Shs40 million given to all MPs for sensitizing their constituents about the Parish Development Model. Poor Bobi was snubbed not only by his MPs but by the Leader of the Opposition as well in an uptick of defiance. That in itself was a humongous signal of his lack of control over his Legislators. The massive fissures if not festering wounds that erupted thereafter between him and NUP’s members of the August house have neither healed nor recessed.

Secondly, Bobi’s inexperience in managing the entire opposition and his dismal performance as a national leader has conspicuously colluded to detach him from the rest of that political sector; for instance, the infamous assault on FDC’s Kiiza Besigye outside the CBS in Mengo by NUP goons some time back plus the incessant gross intolerance of the entire opposition have left swaths of the rest of that political canvass totally indignant towards the ill-famed and disreputable Magere cabal.

Many cogitate that the cabal’s supremo has been vacillating between one gaffe and another; NUP, according to those who promoted it as a “red coffee bean” and laced it with denominationalism, was supposed to be “the party with expertise at fixing our nagging and intractable gordian knots.” That competence thesis has been completely obliterated by the cabal’s quackery.

Approximately two years in, there is that growing sense amongst his ilk that he has lost his way, if any, vis-a-vis fulfilling his pledges to those he duped during the last electoral season. He faces a fledgling party riven by pre-existing if not simmering intra-party disenchantment partially because his MPs and others paid colossal sums to become flag-bearers while others were out rightly debarred from standing on account of lack of money; flag-bearer-ships were bought by the highest bidders.

Thirdly, Bobi’s bizarre if not grotesque support for the EU’s resolution against EACOP was most telling of his general lack of state and international craft. The FDC outsmarted him on the matter reasoning, partly, that the country had already massively invested in the oil sector and it could not afford the germless luxury of abandoning the venture. Lately, he has shrunk into a political pygmy unfitted to answer convoluted oil industry-related technical questions. This column understands that, privately, many upright NUP MPs, save for the few in whose DNA anarchy is perennially ingrained, are losing faith in him faster than he imagines.

Fourthly, his recent sojourning to Ukraine in an apparent contestation of Uganda’s neutrality towards the Russo-Ukraine debacle is grossly bizarre; our country will soon chair the non-aligned movement for a full year and common sense demands that we take no major cosmopolitan sides. It can, therefore, be someone with a cognitive deficit to ludicrously propound otherwise. Besides, Russia has religiously stood with us in both good and bad times unlike those who wronged us by colonially subjugating Africa; we can’t arrogate ourselves the irresponsibility of hating enemies of others– Uganda in particular and Africa, in general, will never do that bidding for our western lecturers. Bobi Wine and a few from his pedigree who recently visited Ukraine to commiserate with that country did so in accordance with the west’s playbook.

Fifthly, fledgling Bobi has always been gaffe-prone; his recent utterances in support of ADF’s former supremo, Jamil Mukulu were as preposterous as they were injudicious. His intention to impress his admirers and sponsors both at home and abroad simultaneously touched the raw nerve of the couth because that insurgent bunch has, globally, been declared a terrorist organization. The lack of international exposure should ideally be blamed for Bobi’s reckless remarks devoid of sensibilities earned with age and dexterity.

Sixth, Bobi’s abortive entry into the UAE to hold a “fundraiser concert” for stranded Ugandans; a gambit he assumed would reinvent him was instead most wacky and eccentric; his promoters with questionable intellectual resources initially tried to mobilize for his performances whilst oblivious of the legal requirements regulating such events. Fundraisers ideally go through an elaborate process before permission is granted. That pervasive incompetence on his part and by extension, his drillers, speak to the rejection they collectively suffered at the hands of Uganda’s bombastic voters during the January 2021 general elections.

Ambassador Henry Mayega

Consul General

Uganda Consulate General

Dubai, UAE

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Princess Anne, Museveni meet at British High Commission Kampala

By
Simon Kabayo
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Princess Anne, President Museveni at British High Commission in Kampala.

Princess Royal Anne yesterday hosted President Museveni for dinner at the British High Commissioner’s residence in Kampala. The Princess Royal accompanied by her husband Sir Timothy arrived in Uganda on Tuesday and are set to carry out a number of engagements until Friday.

President Museveni confirmed the hostage by Her Royal Highness and her husband Sir Timothy Laurence at the British High Commissioner’s residence in Kampala via twitter.

Museveni said, “I was hosted to a dinner by Her Royal Highness, Princess Royal and her husband Sir Timothy Laurence at the British High Commissioner’s residence in Kampala. We talked about the different patronages she has come to support here. I welcome her and wish her good luck.”

The Princess Royal started the visit at the Medical Research Council (MRC), Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), Ugandan Research Unit. 

Her Royal Highness is Chancellor of LSHTM, and their Uganda unit is an internationally recognised centre of excellence.

During the visit, The Princess toured the facilities and learnt more about the unit’s work to conduct high quality, energy efficient research that is contributing to the development of strong health policies for the control of infectious and non-communicable diseases.

The busy programme will see the Queen’s only daughter open the first commercial bank in the Nakivale Refugee Settlement, an honour she will carry out as the patron of Opportunity International, an organisation providing people living in poverty with access to loans, financial training and savings. 

Among other engagements the royal will carry out in Uganda is one linked to Save the Children UK, with which Anne has been closely working for more than five decades. 

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Gov’t blames stranded Ugandans in UAE on individuals and rogue recruitment firms

By
Geoffery Serugo
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Migrant workers

The Minister of State for Labour, Employment, and Industrial Relations, Col. Okello Charles Engola Macodwogo has blamed the huge number of illegal migrants on rogue labour recruitment companies and individuals who lure Ugandans for nonexistent jobs in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Currently, there is a crisis in the labour externalization business in the UAE where several Ugandans are turning into conmen, sleeping on the streets and doing other inhumane activities. Since September, the UAE government has deported over 700 Ugandans who were detained at Dubai Central Jail and other 20 detention centers.

The Ugandans had accumulated fines and expired visas. It is reported that most of the Ugandans accessed the UAE through Visit Visas with the hope of getting jobs during and after the six months Dubai Expo which ended in March 2022.

Speaking earlier today, Engola said due to inadequate information about formal channels of getting employment abroad, many youths are lured by human traffickers. Traffickers through false representation, deploy workers into unknown destinations with hostile working conditions.

“There is exploitation of Ugandan migrant workers by illegal Ugandan recruiters who are resident in host countries through false promises for better pay. They persuade workers to abscond or run away from their jobs,” he said.

“The illegal recruiters place these workers into illegal shelters under poor hygienic conditions. In cases where the illegal recruiters succeed to find employment for the migrant workers, it is the former who get paid and not the latter.”

He said there is a lack of an efficient and reliable rapid-response system for protecting migrant workers. Violation of the rights of especially domestic workers who sometimes are denied access to their travel documents, communication gadgets and even medical care.

Currently, there are about 100,000 Ugandans in UAE, 95 percent doing skilled work and 5 percent having challenges.

From migrant workers, the government annually collects US$1.2 billion (Shs4.5 trillion) globally, the Middle East alone sends in $600 million (Shs2.2 trillion) and $200 million (Shs762 billion) from UAE.

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CJ Owiny-Dollo and Justice Kisaakye should know that when the Judiciary coughs, Ugandans catch a cold

By
Richard Wanambwa
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Justice Kisaakye and CJ Owiny-Dollo

By Richard Wanambwa 

Judiciary is one the three arms of Government of Uganda charged with the responsibility to oversee justice in the country. The Constitution of the Republic of Uganda Article 126 (1) spells out the mandate of the Judiciary: “Judicial Power is derived from the people and shall be exercised by the Courts established   under this Constitution in the name of the people and in conformity with the law and with the values, norms and aspirations of the people.”

The Chief Justice [CJ], in this case Alfonso Owiny-Dollo, is the head of the Judiciary providing leadership for the administration and supervision of all courts in Uganda including those that do not administratively fall within the judiciary.

Unfortunately, there is concern that all is not well in the Judiciary circles of the country after Supreme Court Justice Esther Kisaakyes sued Justice Owiny-Dollo and five others, seeking a permanent injunction restraining them from withholding funds drawn from the consolidated fund and refusing to pay her salary and other allowances without following due process.

Those accused say Justice Kisaakye is not telling the truth and that she is to blame for all that she has or she is going through.

However, Ugandans are wondering why those supposed to deliver justice in the country are fighting each other. Ugandans are worried that such uncalled for fights will impact on service delivery in the judiciary and indeed it has happened as Justice Kisaakye has accused her boss Owiny-Dollo of not assigning her roles.

One wonders why CJ has not assigned his junior duties yet she says she is available and ready for work. Despite the fights, legal minds say CJ is wrong if indeed he has not assigned Kisaakye cases to handle. “This decision, they say, may be meant to punish Kisaakye but at the end of the day, it is Ugandans who lose given that our courts have a backlog  of cases waiting to be heard so that justice is delivered in the shortest time possible. We know that justice delayed is justice denied,” a senior lawyer in Kampala said.

Another senior counsel said the CJ has not suspended or dismissed his junior, which means she must work. “If she is reporting on duty, then she must be given work to do. I think the CJ has erred by not giving Justice Kisaakye work,” he said, adding, “Shall we then believe him when he says the Judiciary needs more judges to handle the cases?”

Last year CJ Owiny-Dollo himself was concerned about the case backlog, saying that the judicial officers were over stretched and couldn’t dispose of the cases in time. The CJ explained  then that because of the increased population of Uganda estimated to be over 40 million people, the ratio of the judicial officers to this population for example at Supreme Court is that one Judge to 5 million people, Court of Appeal one to 3 million people, High Court one judge to 793,103 people and at the Magistrates’ level each has to attend to a population of 158,075 people.

As the CJ and his junior fight in court, we also remember that on January 18, 2022, heads of High Court circuits held a retreat to deliberate on strategies aimed at reducing case backlog. However, with the fights within the judiciary recurring, it is hard to achieve what the judicial officials set out to do.

One opinion  leader is not happy with the fights of bread and butter in the judiciary. He said: “Whether Justice Owiny-Dollo wins the case or not. Whether Justice Kisaakye wins the case or not, they must be reminded that it is a shame that they have exposed themselves in the public that is crying for quick service delivery.”

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We are ready to join the EAC, Somalia President says

By
Our Reporter
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President H.E. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud (right) with EAC Secretary General, Dr. Peter Mathuki.

The President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, H.E. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud urged the East African Community to fast-track his country’s admission into the Community.

The president said Somalia joining the Community has been a delayed dream for the people and the Government of Somalia and urged the Secretary General, Hon. (Dr.) Peter Mathuki, to expedite the process of admission so that his country can be the 8th member of the EAC. 

The President made the call during the maiden visit of Dr. Mathuki to Mogadishu. Dr. Mathuki formally delivered the 22nd EAC Ordinary Summit’s directive to the Council to expeditiously fast-track the verification exercise for Somalia in accordance with the EAC procedures of admission of new countries into the Community. 

“Somalia belongs to the East African Community. There is no country among the EAC Partners States that is not linked by business with Somalia and existing historical linkages include language and culture,” said President Mohamud. 

President Mohamud told the Secretary General that his country was working tirelessly to remove all the security challenges with the support of some of the EAC member states.   

“We are counting on you Secretary General to send the verification team here in Mogadishu to start the process,” he added. 

The president reiterated the strategic position of Somalia saying that the Community will benefit significantly through increased movement of goods, services and people across the bloc in addition to expanding intra-regional trade the already established Somali businesses in the region.  

President Mohamud said that the Somalia’s long Indian Ocea Red Sea route that link Africa to the Arabian Peninsula was a vibrant economic zone, adding that the exploitation of Somalia’s blue economy resources such as fish and the expansive coastline would boost the regional economy. 

On his part, Dr. Mathuki commended the desire of the Federal Republic of Somalia to join the EAC and assured the president that the EAC Secretariat would do its part to make sure that Somalia admission process is expeditiously fast-tracked in accordance with the EAC Procedure for Admission of New Members into the EAC. 

The Secretary General told the president that after his maiden visit, the EAC Secretariat would write to Partner States to request for nominations for members to constitute the EAC Verification Team. The Team will comprise 3 experts from each Partner States and officials from the Secretariat. 

In addition, upon the receipt of the names from the Partner States, the Secretariat will submit the names to the Council for approval to conduct the exercise. 

Dr. Mathuki assured the President of his total commitment in leading the process of admission of Somalia into the Community as directed by the Summit. 

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Museveni commissions Modern Tiles Factory in Buikwe District

By
Simon Kabayo
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President Museveni on Tuesday, 25th October, 2022 commissioned the Modern Tiles factory in Buikwe district which is the biggest in East Africa and Africa, currently producing 49,000 square metres of tiles per day, with production to triple to 150,000 square metres per day at full capacity. 

The factory sources its raw materials locally from the districts of Mukono and Buikwe. This is in line with the National Resistance’s principled approach to economic development and growth specifically in the priority area of creating wealth and jobs.

The President lauded Modern Tile Company proprietors for responding to the government’s call of using raw materials purchased locally.

“By purchasing the raw materials locally, our people get jobs,” Museveni noted.

He cautioned that the availability of infrastructure like good roads put up by the NRM government has attracted investors to set up factories in the area.

He added that he will engage his Kenyan and Tanzanian counterparts to forge a way on how to improve the transport network and make it cheap for Ugandans and business people in the region.

“I will talk to the Kenyan government to streamline transport by railway from Mombasa to Kisumu. Another route in Tanzania from Tanga to Mwanza leading to Ishungyezi to exploit iron ore mines. This can make this part of Africa an industrial base. The population of 1.3 billion Africans is a huge market,” the President observed.

“We shall rationalize the transport chain by reducing the use of trucks from Mombasa or Tanga because it is not smart.”

Museveni further attributed some of the causes of uprisings in some African countries to youth unemployment.

“What government is doing now is to set up as many factories as possible to ensure that the youth are employed. This helps to prevent them from being diverted by economic and political saboteurs,” he said.

The Minister of State for Investment and Privatization, Evelyn Anite, appreciated President Museveni for creating a conducive environment that has enabled investors to set up big factories in Uganda. She said this has helped Uganda to develop economically.

“Uganda should thank you, Your Excellency. It’s your effort that there is zero ceramics and tiles importation in the country,” she said adding, that the country has stopped donating money to foreign countries because of Museveni’s able leadership.

The Minister however, pointed out challenges that are being faced by sugar factories in Uganda like lack of sugar canes which has led to limited production.

“Your Excellency, we should engage all sugar stakeholders so that we find a lasting solution to the problem,” she remarked.

On his part, the Chairman of Uganda Investment Authority (UIA), Mr. Morrison Rwakakamba said the current government did not take on a revolution to serve only as leaders but also to revive the country’s economy which was as ‘good as dead’ by 1986.

“This factory and others are some of the fruits of the revolution,” Mr. Rwakakamba said.

According to Ashish Monpara, Modern Group’s Chairperson said that the factory currently employs 500 Ugandans directly adding, “At full capacity, the factory will produce 150,000 metres of tiles per day, employing 1,600 Ugandans directly and 3,000 indirectly.”

Mr. Monpara also expressed sincere gratitude to President Museveni for creating a conducive and favourable environment that has enabled their company to prosper in the East African country.

“Your Excellency, our total new investment in the next five years will be more than 400 million USD,” Mr. Monpara assured.

He also disclosed that the group is looking forward to set up a pharmaceutical vaccine plant in Uganda.

“For this, we are already in discussions with Minister Evelyn Anite and Uganda Investment Authority to secure the appropriate land. Our budget for this pharmaceutical vaccine plant is 100 million USD.”

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