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KCCA FC to start hosting night games

By
Our Reporter
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KCCA FC stadium

KCCA FC will start hosting night games at its home in the second round of the 2022/2023 season, courtesy of stadium lighting by new sponsors CHINT.

CHINT Electric was today announced as the principal shirt sponsor and the Official Lighting Partner for KCCA FC from 2022 to 2025.  

“We are proud to partner with CHINT Electric as our principal shirt sponsor and official lighting partner for three years,” KCCA FC CEO Anisha Muhoozi said adding, “The partnership will see us acquire a state of the art lighting facility at the MTN Omondi Stadium, thus enabling us answer a long time need of night football.”

CHINT replaces SEE TV as the official sponsors for the lugogo-based side whose contract was terminated recently.

They will light up the MTN Omondi Stadium with state-of-the-art flood lights that will enable KCCA to host night games that are expected to draw larger crowds than the 4 pm games.

The Uganda Premier League last had night games at Namboole stadium in the 2018/19 season but the stadium is now currently under renovation.

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WaterAid East Africa urges leaders to prioritise costed hand hygiene strategies

By
Geoffery Serugo
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Hand washing

As the world commemorated Global Handwashing Day on 15 October 2022, WaterAid East Africa called on leaders across the region to develop and operationalise a costed context-specific national hand hygiene strategy. This is described as critical in scaling up current investments in hand hygiene, improving hygiene behaviours and reaching everyone, everywhere with inclusive, accessible and functional handwashing facilities.

The theme for this year’s Global Handwashing Day, “Unite for Universal Hand Hygiene”, demands joint action from all stakeholders, especially governments at all levels in accelerating universal access to hand hygiene

The Regional Director, WaterAid East Africa, Olutayo Bankole-Bolawolesaid, “Development of fully-funded national strategy on hand hygiene is a critical first step for countries in scaling up hygiene and achieving a culture shift in handwashing practices at household and community levels. If the hygiene targets captured under Sustainable Development Goal 6, are to be achieved, there is a need to increase current efforts and investments four-fold, with attention to the needs of women and girls and those in vulnerable situations.

“As the world copes with the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, lessons on the importance of handwashing in controlling the spread of infectious diseases must be sustained to prevent communities from future disease outbreaks. In East Africa, infectious diseases place a huge burden on fragile health systems, with some countries witnessing a resurgence of the Ebola virus and monkeypox over the past month. It is also important to note that without functional handwashing facilities and access to water, public health facilities become hotbeds for infections, with both patients and caregivers risking their lives. Yet, only half of the health centres globally, have handwashing facilities with soap and water”.

According to the WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme for Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (JMP) 2020, only 30% of the East African population have access to basic hygiene. Disaggregated by country, this shows Rwanda has 5%, Ethiopia -8%, Uganda -23%, Kenya -27% and Tanzania at 48%.

Globally, 3 out of 10 people – 2.3 billion– still lack soap and water for handwashing at home. This leaves people at increased risk of disease because they cannot wash their hands. Beyond this, it is estimated that half a million people die each year from diarrhoea or acute respiratory infections that could have been prevented with good hand hygiene. Handwashing with soap alone can reduce diarrhoea by up to 48%, thereby saving the lives of people, particularly children below the age of five.

Since 1981, WaterAid has reached 26.1m people with good hygiene through better facilities and a hygiene behaviour change programme. We have also reached 181m people through our hygiene response to COVID-19 through our mass media awareness-raising.In East Africa, WaterAid has been working across the region to improve access to hand hygiene through our cross-border interventions and programmes in four East African countries. We remain committed to increasing the momentum and working with partners to ensure universal access not only to hygiene services but sustainable clean water and decent sanitation facilities.

This Global Handwashing Day, WaterAid East Africa is joining stakeholders worldwide to again demand a commitment to the global goal as we all #UniteforUniversalHandHygiene. Access to water, sanitation and hygiene services is a fundamental human right and we must ensure no one is left behind.

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Dettol recognized at People’s Choice Quality Awards

By
Our Reporter
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Dettol Antibacterial Soap, a flagship product of Reckitt was announced as the Best bathing soap at the much-acclaimed People’s Choice Awards held at the Serena Hotel.

Since its inception in 2009, the annual awards seek to drive business excellence through the recognition of various business entities within Uganda.

While receiving the award on Saturday, Mohammad Ali Tariq, Reckitt Country Manager applauded the organizers for creating a platform to celebrate brands that make a difference in people’s lives and reiterated Dettol’s commitment to its Ugandan consumers.

“We applaud the organizers for this platform, it’s a great feeling to be recognized by the people that you set out to serve. As a company, excellence, innovation, and our consumers are at the heart of all we do. This accolade proves that we are doing something right. You can expect bolder, brighter, and bigger things from the Dettol Brand over the coming years,” he said.

He further reminded the public about the power of handwashing as Uganda joins the rest of the world to commemorate Global handwashing Day under the theme, “Unite for Universal Hand Hygiene.”

“As the world copes with the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, lessons on the importance of handwashing in controlling the spread of infectious diseases must be sustained to prevent communities from future disease outbreaks. We are your number one partner in the fight against germs,” he urged.

Dettol has been in Uganda for the last three decades and continues to make a positive contribution to the community. During the COVID-19 outbreak, the company donated DettolAntibacterial soap, sanitizers and bleach to the Ministry of Health, Uganda People’s Defense Force and the Government.

The People’s Choice awards are given after conducting annual statistical research among consumers, the business society and national regulatory bodies. The National awards are chosen by the people of Uganda after months of surveys, reports and other data-tracking methods across the country.

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TotalEnergies scoffs at EU over EACOP Project

By
Geoffery Serugo
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EACOP

TotalEnergies has scoffed at European Parliament (EU) for passing a resolution on East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) based on unfounded allegations of Human rights violations and sundry.

On September 15, 2022, EU Parliament passed a resolution calling on TotalEnergies to take one year before launching the 1445-kilometer EACOP project to study the feasibility of an alternative route to better safeguard protected and sensitive ecosystems and the water resources of Uganda and Tanzania.

According to the resolution EU parliament claimed that the project will generate up to 34 million tonnes of carbon emissions per year yet the International Energy Agency (IEA) warned in a 2021 report that limiting global warming to 1.5°C to prevent climate change’s most destructive impacts would require new oil and gas development to stop immediately.

They also said nearly 118,000 people are affected by the oil projects. Their homes were destroyed to facilitate the construction of access roads; their land was requisitioned without prior payment of fair and adequate compensation. The compensation paid is often far too low to allow farmers whose land has been expropriated to buy comparable land on which to continue farming.

“EU Parliament asks the authorities in Uganda and Tanzania to ensure human rights advocates, journalists, and civil society groups are free to carry out their work in at-risk communities and called for all arbitrarily arrested human rights defenders to be released immediately,” they said.

In a letter to the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, Patrick Pouyanné, CEO and chairman of TotalEnergies said TotalEnergies declined to be represented at the hearing organized by the Human Rights sub-commission which took place on October 10, 2022.

“If, as one might expect within the framework of contradictory debate respecting the fundamental principles of the institutions of our democracies, TotalEnergies had been consulted prior to the passing of this resolution, the Company could have informed the Parliament the inaccuracy of many elements which are based on serious and unfounded allegations. Unfortunately, it is now too late for this contradictory debate to take place as the European Parliament adopted this resolution without even hearing the Company,” he said.

He said TotalEnergies all partners are committed to putting environmental and biodiversity issues as well as the rights of the communities concerned at the centre of the project, in accordance with the most stringent international standards (IFC).

“This project is a major development for Uganda and Tanzania, and we are doing our utmost to ensure that it is exemplary in terms of transparency, shared prosperity, economic and social progress, sustainable development and protecting the environment and human rights,” he said.

“It is very much regretted that the Company and, by extension, its 105,000 employees should be publicly accused in this way by your institution, without being approached at any point for a prior adversarial discussion. I cannot help but feel that your Assembly should reach its opinions on subjects that it is free to select completely independently. It seems to me that, in this case, the adversarial principle on which the rule of law is based has not been respected in any way whatsoever. And I consider that the Parliament’s adoption of resolutions containing factual inexactitudes, and statements based on unfounded allegations, some serious, to be most damaging,” the letter reads in part.

He said 723 households, numbering some 5,000 people, will be rehomed nearby in higher quality housing; other people affected because they own or farmland covered by the project have naturally been taken into account in the compensation procedure.

“The fact that the Subcommittee on Human Rights decided to extend an invitation to me after the fact, to express myself when the decision had already been taken, for a duration of “eight minutes”, does not in any way correct the situation created by this deliberation, because the adversarial principle can scarcely apply retroactively. You will understand that I do not intend to accept the invitation under these circumstances,” he said.

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Stanbic Bank joins parent company, Standard Group to mark 160 years of its existence

By
Geoffery Serugo
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Stanbic Bank joins parent company, Standard Group to mark 160 years of its existence

Stanbic Bank has joined its parent company, Standard Group to mark 160 years of its existence. Established in 1862 in the small town, of Port Elizabeth, Standard Bank Group is the largest commercial bank in Africa, operating in over 20 countries around the continent. In Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and South Sudan, it operates under the brand name Stanbic Bank.

Speaking at Serena hotel, Anne Juuko, the Chief “Today is a special day for us in the history of our mother company, Standard Bank Group but also in Uganda as Stanbic bank in Uganda. The Group employs over 50,000 staff members directly and indirectly and serves over 15 million customers,”

She said the group has flown the same flag and the motto; ‘let the standard go forward’ and still honors the principles on which it was founded. Today we are extremely honored to hold a dual celebration because we were not only celebrating 160 years of existence but also 60 years since Uganda got its independence.

The bank reaffirmed its commitment to the communities which it serves. This month, the bank is marking Customer service month through Cooperate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities. The bank has injected over Shs 2billion into the maternal sector, education, agricultural sector and sundry and pledged to give more to the communities which have supported them over the last 60 and 160 years.

“Our commitment to integrity, serving customers, honoring our customers’ wishes, and fair and trading practices will not change. As Tumubweine Twinemanzi, the Executive Director of the Bank Supervision Directorate of the Bank of Uganda (BoU) said, we are the most transparent financial institution. When CBR goes up, we go up, when it goes down, we follow suit. The level of transparency is what our customers can continue to hope for,” she said.

“We have walked this journey with customers who had businesses right from single rooms in basements and two staff members and today they are running multibillion-dollar companies employing thousands of Ugandans and paying billions in taxes. That is the journey we continue to honor,” she said

She said as part of their celebrations, they have partnered with Uganda coffee farmers. “When you think of a coffee farmer, you don’t imagine that a fresh 25-year-old girl will come out to say, I am a coffee farmer but we have found them and we are working and supporting them because we know that the future belongs to them and it is our job to support them,” Anne said

Twinemanzi congratulated Standard Bank Group on 160 years milestone. He said every month; BoU holds meetings with the Chief Executive Officers of Commercial (CEO) banks they confer awards to the Best Primary dealers in Government Securities.

He said since BoU embarked on recognizing commercial banks, Stanbic has a record of having won six consecutive awards.

“Stanbic bank was the first bank to apply and get an electronic wallet. We take into consideration of its Stanbic Purchase Managers Index (PMI) when passing monetary policy. You have heard about the sector being abused for high-interest rates but when the CBR rate goes up, they do and when it goes down, they follow suit. For other banks, the interest rate remains up.” he said

“The 160 years is a great milestone but don’t get too comfortable because what got here won’t get you there. The things you have done to where you are today are not the same that will keep you there or take you where you want to be,” he said

He urged the company to continue innovating, avoid arrogance, bureaucracy and complacency to the company to remain on track for more successive years.  

Prof. Patrick Mangheni, the Board Chairman, of Stanbic Bank Uganda said, “As a senior corporate citizen of Africa, our challenge and responsibility as Standard Bank Group is to nurture the young businesses to grow into solid, thriving enterprises that will create jobs, pay taxes and drive Uganda or Africa’s growth. This should be our mission for the next 160 years to nurture the next generation of Africa’s businesses. I am happy to note that we have already started on this work in one way or another,”

He said Stanbic Bank on its own has a rich heritage dating back 116 years, right from 1906, when it used to be the National Bank of India. After several name changes, it rebranded to Grindlays Bank. It is in 1991 after the Standard Bank Group acquired Grindlays Bank and it was given a new name Stanbic Bank (Uganda) Limited.

“In February 2002, Standard bank group acquired 90% of the shareholding in Uganda Commercial Bank Limited, which was a government-owned bank. UCB was then merged with Stanbic Bank (Uganda) Limited and that is how it became Uganda’s largest commercial bank by assets and branch network,” he said

In April 2019, Stanbic Bank Uganda reorganized its corporate structure and created a Holding Company called Stanbic Uganda Holdings Limited and Stanbic Bank became its Subsidiary. Since then, Stanbic Uganda Holdings has grown and today has four more subsidiaries which include; Stanbic Properties, Stanbic Business Incubator, SBG Securities and FlyHub.

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True Group and ZTE sign 5G innovation cooperation agreement

By
Our Reporter
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True Group and ZTE sign 5G innovation cooperation agreement

ZTE Corporation (0763.HK / 000063.SZ), a global leading provider of information and communication technology solutions, has signed a 5G innovation cooperation agreement with True Group, a leading digital lifestyle enabler in Thailand.

Under the agreement, both parties will focus on the 5G joint innovation center to develop 5G networks, digital services, smart islands, intelligent manufacturing, research innovation, talent training and other fields, with great commitment to comprehensively carrying out 5G-oriented innovative technology and business cooperation.

According to the agreement, both parties will set up a joint innovation lab in Bangkok’s True Digital Park to test and verify 5G technologies and applications. Innovative products, solutions and applications by joint efforts will be directly deployed in the “Super South+” test field in Phuket, bringing the latest digital service experiences to local users.

“True is ready to support the sustainable intelligence development of Thailand. True Group, with the strong collaboration with leading domestic and world-class international partners, is the only operator that has the complete range and coverage of 7 frequency bands, as well as the smart 5G technology with extensive network coverage of 77 provinces in Thailand,” said Mr. Manat Manavutiveth, President (Co) of True Group. “Under such circumstances, we are delighted to form the cooperation with ZTE to jointly drive network and infrastructure development and bring changes to the telecommunication sector in various dimensions.”

“One of the highlights is the joint innovation lab at True Digital Park, reflecting True Group’s intention to focus on innovation development to create value for society and the country as well as our potentials and expertise in True Lab Innovation Centers located in the famous universities across the country. What’s more, the cooperation in the “Super South+” Project in Phuket will help improve mobile network to serve the tourism industry in the southern area, which is one of the major destinations for tourists in Thailand. We are confident that this cooperation will create a complete True5G eco-system, develop innovation technology for maximum benefits as well as strengthening True5G genius network in order to sustainably enhance the life quality and provide ultimate experiences for Thai people and forge Thailand ahead to digital transformation,” added Mr. Manat Manavutiveth.

“ZTE continues to practice its own positioning as a driver of digital economy, and insists on continuous technological innovation. Through joint innovation, ZTE will give full play to ZTE ‘s advantages in 5G technology, R&D innovation, and 5G industry application,” said Mr. Mei Zhonghua, Senior Vice President of ZTE Corporation. “We are deploying minimalist, green, low-carbon, and intelligent 5G networks for True in southern Thailand. To meet the needs of numerous islands and offshore operations in the south Thailand, we provide customized ultra-long-distance coverage products, which will enable 5G coverage to reach 100KM over the sea, and high-speed 5G digital services for tourists and marine operations.”

Moving forward, the joint innovation lab will also expand to local ecological partners to form end-to-end 5G innovative applications, further empowering industry verticals. From local pilot to mature promotion, the lab, by forming a 5G ecosystem with cross-industry integration, will further change the production method, create greater economic value for Thailand, and support Thailand digital transformation to achieve “Digital Thailand” vision.

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Kabale State Attorney arrested for soliciting Shs500,000 bribe

By
Our Reporter
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Handcuffs

The Inspectorate of Government (IGG) has arrested the State Attorney for Kabale District, Mr. Edwin Mbabazi for soliciting and receiving gratification of Shs125,000.

Edwin Mbabazi solicited for Shs 500,000 as an inducement to close a criminal case of trespass against a resident of Kyanamira town council, Kabale district.

He was however arrested while receiving part of payment of Shs125,000 on Thursday October 13th 2022. He has been transported to Kampala and will be charged for soliciting and receiving gratification.

An Inspectorate of Government statement shows that they received a complaint from a member of the public who alleged that a case of criminal trespass was reported against him at Kyanamira Police Station and later, the case was transferred to Kabale Central Police Station.

He had been arrested and released on bond by Kabale Police on 30th September 2022. When he reported back to Police, he was told that his case had been forwarded to the State Attorney Kabale.

He then went to the office of the State Attorney to inform him that there was another civil matter which was before the Chief Magistrates Court, Kabale concerning the same land he was accused of trespassing.

The State Attorney called Edwin Mbabazi promised to peruse through his file and get back to him through his phone number and asked him to offer a bribe worth Shs500,000 in order to close the criminal case against him.

This prompted him to report the matter to Kabale Regional Office for redress.

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East Africa Public Relations week to be held in Mombasa

By
Simon Kabayo
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East Africa Public Relations week to be held in Mombasa, Kenya

The first-ever East Africa Public Relations Week will be held in Mombasa, Kenya under the theme“Enhancing Sustainability Through Communication”. The five day event will commence on November 14th to 18th.

The event will bring together some of East Africa’s brilliant minds in the communications sector in order to reinforce lasting partnerships among the participating countries, building on the goal to foster sustainable practices in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

This event is an initiative of the Public Relations Society of Kenya (PRSK), and will be jointly hosted with other communications umbrella bodies in Tanzania, Uganda, South Sudan, Rwanda, The Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi.

According to Mr. Arik Karani, President of PRSK, this will be the biggest conference ever held in the region.

“This year, we are taking the PRSK annual summit to a new level by hosting the first-ever East Africa Public Relations Week. One of the key strategies for the Public Relations Society of Kenya’s council is to unite East African countries through cohesive communication. With the PRSK turning 50, we thought of bringing the East African Public Relations Associations together under one roof.  Together with other Public Relations Societies in Uganda, Tanzania, The Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, Burundi, and Rwanda, we assure participating organizations and individuals that this will be one of the most memorable events in the region. We have lined up some of the best speakers in the continent, and exciting networking activities to ensure that everybody gets maximum value and visibility during the 5-day event,” Mr. Arik Karani said.

“Our vision is to come together as public relations and communications colleagues to discuss how to advance excellence in our profession, countries, and region.” Mr. Arik Karani added. 

Stephen Mwanga, the Public Relations Association of Uganda- PRAU’s president expressed his excitement about attending the inaugural event.

“This will be an exciting and interactive conference, bringing together communicators across East Africa to discuss matters pertaining to the Public Relations Industry in the region,” said Mr. Stephen Mwanga.

Mr. Stephen Mwanga added that the conference will run for 5 days of exhilarating discussions and fun activities. During the first two days, members will be talking about sustainability and shared value- moving away from CSR. From Wednesday through Friday, delegates will be treated to a well-coordinated regional PR summit that will feature discussions on issues like trust and safety, the ongoing Ukraine war, navigating the politics of influence, and many other emerging issues in the field of communication.”

Speaking about the importance of having a formidable East African countries public relations strategy, Mr. Assah Mwambene, the President of the Public Relations Society of Tanzania- PRST, stressed the need for an integrated, unifying, and cohesive approach to communicating the needs of the East African region.

“I am looking forward to having a formidable Public Relations strategy in East Africa in terms of positioning the East Africa community to the next level.” Said Mr.  Assah Mwambene.

“This will be an all-rounded conference that will have three tracks- a forum on sustainability and shared value, a PR Summit, and an awards gala. The summit will also feature break-out sessions with top industry leaders and seasoned practitioners from across the continent and fun excursions at the coastal towns to ensure that delegates have the best experience from this conference,” Mr. Assah Mwambene added.

Mr. John Mading, South Sudan’s Public Relations Society President concluded the online discussion by affirming the role of Public Relations in East Africa’s regional integration agenda and its relevance to the conference.

“PR and communication are at the center of every major discussion and event. They bring clarity and common understanding on various issues. Since the inception of the EA Community, the involved countries have been keen on advancing the agenda of the 4 pillars of East Africa integration,” said Mr. Mading.

“Our role as communicators is to ensure we are well equipped to advise and craft strategies for successful implementation of these pillars,” added Mr. John Mading.

Some key topics will feature discussions on sustainability, climate change reporting, the blue economy, the post-pandemic workplace, and impactful partnerships.

Expected to grace the event are representatives from East Africa’s corporate giants; Safaricom, Amref-Africa, KEMRI, Haco Industries, META, Trade Mark East Africa, and Red Cross Society, among others.

The event will also commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Public Relations Society of Kenya- PRSK. Formed to guide and bring together PR practitioners in Kenya, the association will be celebrating different milestones achieved over the past 50 years, which include establishing a student-focused organization, establishing a Code of Ethics that guides the profession in the country, and creating the certification program which will be the most essential credential in the public relations world.

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UNAIDS warns that HIV, Covid and other health investments are in danger due to a looming debt crisis in Africa and developing world

By
Our Reporter
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UNAIDS

COVID-19 and the debt crisis, now aggravated by the consequences of the war in Ukraine, have created an unprecedented setback in global health, and put the global response to AIDS in jeopardy, risking 7.7 million deaths to AIDS-related causes by 2030, according to a new report by UNAIDS.

The report, A Pandemic Triad, shows that the debt crisis and the war in Ukraine have deepened the fiscal crisis of developing countries, severely undermining their capacity to invest in health. It also shows that the country’s most affected in economic terms by COVID-19 are the countries deepest in debt—they are also the country’s most affected by HIV. In 2020, for every US$ 10 available, US$ 4 was spent on debt servicing and only US$ 1 was invested in health.

“The multilateral system cannot fail again,” said Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS. “The response to COVID was dramatically inadequate, from very limited vaccination in developing countries to no permanent debt relief, and scarce fresh resources to countries with severe health and social problems there can be no mistakes this time.”

The World Bank is forecasting that, without even including the latest numbers, 110 countries will have health spending in 2027 either under 2019 levels or slightly over, with only 67 countries. going above 2019 pre-COVID health investment levels.

The 2020 data show that there was a temporary increase in health spending, but it was focused predominately on the COVID emergency, leaving other health priorities behind. Latest forecasts from the IMF predict slower economic growth, higher inflation and worsening debt risks, leaving health and HIV investments under severe threat.

“We need a brave multilateral response to enable developing countries to respond to current pandemics and prevent future ones, while tackling the urgent food crises,” said Ms Byanyima. “Growing development cooperation, closing tax loopholes and promoting progressive taxation, providing fast and effective debt cancellation and relief, and avoiding the resource to austerity that would mean less doctors, nurses, midwives, is the way to go. New resources and resources freed from debt or tax dodging should be invested wisely to end AIDS by 2030 and respond effectively to future pandemics.”

A Pandemic Triad shows that of the 38 million people estimated to be living with HIV, 26 million are in developing countries and two-thirds are in countries that received absolutely no debt relief at all despite the deep health and economic crisis brought by COVID.

The HIV response in low- and middle-income countries is US$ 8 billion short of the amount needed by 2025. In 2021, international resources for HIV were 6% lower than in 2010. It is estimated that the reduced availability of resources to finance access to HIV services could cost 7.7 million lives over the next decade.

The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria is seeking additional resources for countries´ investments in the fight against the three diseases.

Kalipso Chalkidou, Head of Health financing at the Global Fund said, “As the latest IMF World Economic Outlook figures illustrate, the outlook is dire for donor and recipient countries alike, with debt servicing severely constraining especially poorer nations’ ability to spend in health and social causes. In this environment, Global Fund views debt swaps for health as a promising tool for creating badly needed fiscal space to invest in health systems and the three diseases.”

On average, public debt levels in low- and middle-income countries rose from 55% to 63.8% of GDP between 2019 and 2020 equivalent to a staggering US$ 2.3 trillion and continue spiraling. Meanwhile, currency depreciation to the US dollar of over 10%, and escalating interest rate payments are creating a perfect debt storm. For low-income countries (LICs), total debt is estimated at 87% of GDP. As a consequence, the proportion of LICs in debt distress, or at high risk of debt distress, has doubled to 60% from 2015 levels.

OXFAM presented the update of the commitment to Reduce Inequality Index at the Annual meetings and presented the latest data around inequalities in access to health.

Max Lawson, Head of Inequality Policy and Advocacy at Oxfam International said, “Our analysis shows that half of the poorest countries cut health spending, despite the worst health crisis in a century. They are spending far more on repaying their huge debts to rich creditors in New York and London than they are able to spend on protecting their people from dying from diseases. This is an appalling situation, made more appalling because it does not have to be this way. Inequality is a policy choice, not an inevitability”.

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Museveni signs controversial Computer Misuse Bill into law

By
Geoffery Serugo
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President Yoweri Museveni

President Yoweri Museveni has assented to the controversial Computer Misuse (Amendment) Bill, 2022, into Law. Museveni’s signing was confirmed by Faruk Kirunda, the Deputy Press Secretary to President Museveni.

In September 2022, Kampala Central Member of Parliament, Muhammad Nsereko tabled the Computer Misuse (Amendment) Bill for the first reading.

Among others, the object of the Bill was to prohibit the sharing of any information relating to a child without authorization from a parent or guardian; to prohibit the sending or sharing of information that promotes hate speech; to provide for the prohibition of sending or sharing false, malicious and unsolicited information.

Clause 2 of the Bill sought to amend section 12 of the Computer Misuse Act to criminalize hacking of another person’s electronic device and publishing information obtained therefrom.

“A person who, without authorization, (a) accesses or intercepts any program or another person’s data or information; (b) voice or video records another person; or (c) shares any information about or that relates to another person, commits an offence,” reads Clause 2.

During the Plenary Ug sitting on September 8th, the House considered and passed the Computer Misuse (Amendment) Bill, 2022 with amendments.

Clause 7 on the Penalty was deleted. This is because additional penalty instituted on leaders and public officials on top of the criminal sanctions created under the Computer Misuse Act is excessive and discriminatory.

A new clause to regulate social media ‘Misuse of social media’ was inserted. “A person who uses social media to publish, distribute or share information, prohibited under the laws of Uganda or using a disguised or false identity, commits an offense.”

Where the information under subsection (1) is published, shared, or distributed on a social media account of an organization, the person who manages the social media account of the organization, shall be held personally liable for the commission of the offense.

The new law will among others enhance the protection of children and prohibit the sending or sharing of information that promotes hatred.

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