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UNBS gets new board of directors

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Our Reporter
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UNBS logo

The Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, Mr. Francis Mwebesa, inaugurated a new ten-member board; The National Standards Council (NSC), that will provide oversight and policy guidance to the UNBS to ensure effective service delivery.

During the inauguration ceremony, Mwebesa urged the new board to prioritise improving quality of locally manufactured goods and imports, to protect the public and environment against dangerous substandard products. 

“Check the factories where goods are made to ensure that they comply with the standards before those goods make it to the market. Imports should be inspected at the country of origin before they come into the country. This will reduce the cost of doing business,” he said.

Mwebesa further pledged to support UNBS in increasing the staffing and funding levels, to combat the major challenges faced by UNBS in implementing its mandate.

The 9th National Standards Council Chairperson, Mr. Charles Musekura noted that the long turnaround time for product samples in the testing laboratories is another challenge that needs to be worked on, as this will facilitate the Parish Development Model program that is to be rolled out by the government soon.

The UNBS Executive Director who was also sworn in as the Secretary to the National Standards Council, welcomed the new board members and believes that the development will strengthen UNBS intervention in the market and industry, which will improve product quality and protection of the public against use of dangerous substandard products.

“We look forward to continue developing relevant standards to support businesses in production processes, innovations and certify their products against these standards to access export markets,” Said Mr. David Livingstone Ebiru.

The new UNBS board members include;

  • Mr. Charles Musekura from the Private Sector who was sworn in as the Chairperson
  • Mr. David Livingstone Ebiru from UNBS who was sworn in as the board secretary,
  • Dr. Tom Okia Okurut the Former Executive Director of National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA),
  • Mr. Andima Alfred Oyo, the Current Under Secretary at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives (MTIC),
  • Eng. James Kabali Kalibbala  from the Private Sector
  • Ms. Sarah Irene Kibuka Walusimbi from the Private Sector
  • Mr. Robert Mwanje from the Private Sector
  • Dr.  Aminah Zawedde, the Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of ICT
  • Ms. Pamella Achii from Ministry of Health
  • Mr. Omar Mohammed  from the Ministry of Justice & Constitutional Affairs.
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Plans underway to return body of Gen. Tumwine

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Our Reporter
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Gen. Tumwine

The Minister for Security, Maj Gen Jim Muhwezi has revealed that government hast started plans to repatriate the body of former army representative Gen Elly Tumwine.

Muhwezi made this revelation as lawmakers joined the rest of the country to mourn the late Gen Elly Tumwine.

The country woke up to the news of the death of the former representative of the Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) on Thursday, 25 August 2022.

During Plenary sitting on Thursday, 25 August 2022, Muhwezi informed Members of Parliament that Tumwiine died at a hospital in Nairobi.

“Early this morning, between 5:00am and 6:00am, we lost Gen. Elly Tumwine in a Nairobi hospital where he has been for a couple of weeks for treatment,” said Muhwezi.

Deputy Speaker, Thomas Tayebwa who asked the House to observe a moment of silence said that late left an indelible mark on the stability of the country.

“We have lost a gallant man, a person who has been a colleague, interacting with us here and a historical who ushered in the revolution, together with our President. It is very sad for us because whenever we lose one of us in this House, a dark cloud hovers over the whole institution,” said Tayebwa.

He added that Parliament will liaise with government to pay tribute to Gen. Tumwine.

“At an appropriate time, we shall be guided. But I urge the Leader of Government to liaise with the Leader of the Opposition so that a motion is prepared to pay glowing tribute to our departed colleague,” Tayebwa said.

Bukonjo County West MP Godfrey Katusabe described Gen. Tumwine as a distinguished son who served the country wholeheartedly.  
“My deepest condolences to the President who is Commander in Chief and the UPDF,” Katushabe said.

Ayivu Division East MP, Godfrey Feta said that the late was a courageous and professional soldier.

Kiira Municipality MP Ibrahim SSemujju Nganda however urged government to standardise state burials as well as tributes paid to MPs, saying that Parliament made a recommendation to that effect.  

“There was time here when we had a problem; a former colleague from Eastern Uganda died and was not brought and our colleagues from Eastern Uganda were not happy,” he said.  

Gen Tumwine served as UPDF representative in Parliament from 1996 to 2021. He also served as a Minister for security from 2018 to 2021.

At the time of his death, Gen Tumwine was a senior presidential advisor.

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Top African Novels You Must Read

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Our Reporter
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Whenever we sit in a book club, very rarely do we actually talk about contemporary African literature.

So why not change that?

Starting with giving a great recommendation of these following African novels will make you think, cry, and lose your mind all at the same time. So sit back, relax, and delve into the world that not many history books teach us. Download the ebooks for free from piratebayproxy.

African Novels You Should Read

If you are venturing into the world of African novels, here are five of them that you should read. They will totally blow your mind! Stories filled with social restaurants, independence and modernization, and love. These stories will leave you awestruck.

1. Coming To Birth – Marjorie Oludhe MacGoye

The storyline is a beautiful depiction of everything that happened after the independence of Kenya. The complication of the political narrative and how our two main characters, Paulina and Martin, navigates through the rules of city life.

The novel begins with Martin, who is deemed to be a successful man in Kenyan society. He is someone who is from the working class of the country, but with good education and a job in the city. He and his wife Paulina move to the city, and you will find many dimensions in the story.

Starting from the innocent love between our two main characters and how it is put to the test, eventually changing with time with a childless marriage. How do they cope with their emotions amidst all the political tension in their surroundings? The amalgamation of the personal and political journey of Kenya with newfound freedom is what you will love about the story. 

2. Harvest Of Skulls – Abdourahman A.Waberi

This is probably the most famous African novel, which still causes ripples of awareness among many ardent readers. The Rwandan political genocide was probably one of the most gruesome mass execution in history.

In the year 1994, the Rwandan political elite planned a genocidal mass that slaughtered and killed almost 500,000 to 1,000,000 Hutu and Tutsi who lived in the country. 

Four years after the tragedy, ten African authors visit Rwanda to witness the remains of the atrocious act firsthand. Due to political controversies, this well-known book is deemed as ‘stories’ and ‘fictions.’ But many call it a non-fictional bend, and it gets into the explicit details of the number of bodies and gives in-depth information about the matter.

Something that history often forgets.

3. A Bit Of Difference – Sefi Atta

A bit of difference takes a very interesting turn on someone who is a part of the third world country in Africa and now living in modern London. Working overseas and adjusting has been quite challenging for our protagonist Neola. However, when she goes back to Nigeria for her father’s five-year memorial service, there are all these changes she is encountering and how the Nigerian urban life is changing. This works as an eye opener for her, and she is slowly able to understand how the first world country sees Nigeria and how different and contemporary they are.

However, the story gets interesting when she is selected as an auditor to judge and decide whether certain African countries are eligible to get charity funds from European countries. Now, she is conflicted about her job and being the person judging her own culture.

Get Them Today!

Learning more about the third world countries in Africa and how they are progressing into the contemporary modern world is very important. Seems like the world and history often don’t talk about the major events of the African countries; whether we are talking about the genocide, the independence from the British colonization reign, or people navigating through modernization, you should read these books.

These books will give you a better insight into the beginning of contemporary African literature.

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You danced with death all your adult life – Gen. Sejusa eulogises Gen. Tumwine

By
Our Reporter
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Former Security Minister Gen. Elly Tumwine.

Gen. David Sejusa has eulogised the former security minister Gen. Elly Tumwine, saying he danced with death all his adult life because it’s the way of the soldier.

Tumwine was pronounced dead on Thursday morning at Aga Khan Hospital in Nairobi, Kenya. He succumbed to lung cancer.

“GEN ELLY IS GONE HOME! You Danced With Death All Your Adult Life Because It’s The Way Of The Soldier! And you acted the way you did bse ‘when one knows Death so well, one has more Responsibility for Life’. To Jolly & Chidren, May the LORD Comfort You! To NRA/UPDF, a HERO has gone home!” Gen Sejusa tweeted.

Gen. Tumwine and Sejusa are known friends since their times in the Bush and what united them more was their ties to Ankore kingdom, who both are know to be crusaders of the resurrection of the kingdom.

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Anti-Illicit alcohol campaign launched

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Our Reporter
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Onapito Ekomoloit, the Chairman of the UAIA and also Legal and Corporate Affairs Director NBL.

Nile Breweries Ltd (NBL), Uganda’s beer market leader, has launched a campaign against the sale and consumption of illicit alcohol.

The move, coming in the wake of the recent death of a dozen people in Arua after drinking an illicit spirit, is aimed at creating public awareness about the dangers of illicit alcohol.

This alcohol, accounting for 65% of the alcohol market in Uganda, is neither registered, nor certified nor does it pay taxes. It is dangerous to the health of the consumers and undermines the economic development of the country.

NBL launched its campaign, called ‘Mind Your Drink’, at Silver Springs Hotel, Kampala, in partnership with the Uganda Alcohol Industry Association (UAIA), Uganda Bureau of Standards (UNBS), Uganda Police and the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA).

“Alcohol was originally invented to create happiness. However, there are people that are giving it a bad name by not following the right rules and regulations in producing, selling and consuming it. There is a strong need to fight against illegal alcohol because of its adverse effects on the consumers’ health, society and the economy,’’ said Onapito Ekomoloit, the Chairman of the UAIA and also Legal and Corporate Affairs Director NBL.

This week medical authorities in Arua confirmed an unfortunate incident in West Nile in which 12 people died after consuming a locally manufactured gin that was apparently not certified by UNBS.

“Such deaths have happened over the years and make this campaign timely. It calls for all of us to join the fight against this unscrupulous trade,” said Onapito.

Despite the government banning sachet spirits in June 2019, as one way of eliminating unregulated alcohol from the market, Uganda remains a hotspot for its trade and consumption.

The illicit alcoholic drinks are now packaged in PET bottles, recycled mineral water bottles, other types of packaging and sold openly countrywide.

According to the 2021 Euromonitor International report, illicit alcohol consumption increased to 64.7% in Uganda.

The harsh economic conditions and the down-trading impact of Covid-19 have resulted in the formal beer industry losing market share down to 35.5%, raising concerns over government tax revenues, grain farmers’ market and the licit industry jobs.

NBL recommends a multi-sectoral approach in order to effectively combat the spread of illicit alcohol in Uganda.

 “Engaging different stakeholders in this campaign will strengthen the message we want to send out on dangers of illicit alcohol, especially to the health of consumers,” said Clare Asiimwe, the Sustainability Manager at NBL said while presenting the report on illicit alcohol.

 “It is an excellent opportunity for us to reduce both trade and consumption of illicit alcohol and its effects on Ugandan jobs and livelihoods,” she said.

Since its establishment in 2006, Uganda Alcohol Industry Association has played a role in bringing together the alcoholic beverage producers in Uganda to promote responsible consumption and marketing of alcoholic beverages.

“As UAIA, our main focus has always been on promoting responsible drinking and protecting the alcohol industry from unfair competition. We believe that this campaign will encourage people to think about themselves and those closest to them and make the right decision to never purchase or consume illicit alcoholic beverages, “said M.S Reddy, the Treasurer of UAIA.

“We call upon all stakeholders to join the fight in their different capacities to completely defeat this illegal trade,” he said.

Following a dialogue by key stakeholders to formulate actions on how to fight illicit alcohol collectively, NBL and all the partners will be running awareness messages under the ‘Mind Your Drink’ banner.

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Wife catches senior Minister with housemaid in bedroom

By
Our Reporter
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A senior cabinet minister is in trouble after his wife caught him pants-down with a housemaid in their marital bedroom.

The said minister is a known beaded-beef lover whose record among the female colleagues is undisputed. The man is described by his colleagues as a Mister Lover Man.

Sources further revealed to this website that the incident happened over the weekend as the wife reportedly duped him that she would be away for a function. However, she made a fool of him only to return after hours and found the two entangled in bedsheets. Family sources revealed that what annoyed the wife more is the fact that her husband decided to bed the housemaid despite her ugly looks.

“The wife was heartbroken. How would a man bed such a housemaid? She has had issues with maids but we didn’t know why she would often change them! But this one was not a beautiful maid. However, love is blind like the old addage goes.”

The said minister who usually rubs shoulders with top generals hails from the central region and his youthful wife is said to be from another region.

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Imbalu is a cultural ritual and not a punishment

By
Guest Writer
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Imbalu candidates with Kadodi dancers

Imbalu (Male circumcision) in Mt. Elgon region is not a criminal enterprise. Stop demonizing this wonderful culture. Equally, stop derailing the flow of our tourism industry especially to Mt. Elgon National Park. Hear me all of you, circumcision was meant to cleanse, purify and offer passage of a Mumasaaba young boy to Manhood.

Before candidates are allowed to participate, there is a kind of Mchakamchaka (Isonja) dance where they are requested to observe body hygiene such as short nails, hair short, cloths clean, body clean, mouth clean and also physical and mental fitness, togetherness among the boys for good relations and future cooperation but not chaos like we are witnessing this year (2022)

There are several stories that talk about the origin of the culture of circumcising the male children among the Bamasaaba. One such story states as follows: – It is said and often told that one day when developing Barwa girls were playing about in their homestead, they saw smoke far off from their home, the girls then began arguing amongst themselves as to whether any of them could possibly run and reach the spot where the smoke was coming from. As the debate heated up, a girl called Nabarwa volunteered to run and reach the spot where the smoke was. So, she started running and soon disappeared from the other girls. The other girls began to wonder whether Nabarwa would ever reach the place where the smoke was and safely return home.

All the same Nabarwa had disappeared into the unknown lands. When Nabarwa went far into the unknown land, she began to think about the girls who didn’t join her in the race to see where the smoke was coming from. No sooner had Nabarwa gone too far than she met a hunter in the forest around Mt. Elgon which is also called Mt. Masaaba. She discovered that the hunter was called Fuuya the son of Mukhama who belonged to the sub clan of Bamutoto from Bungokho main clan. Fuuya was heavily armed with hunting gear and when Nabarwa saw him she was too frightened, surprisingly, Fuuya showed signs of falling in love at first sight with the woman.

The silent sign language enabled them to become friends and finally became husband and wife. As a result, Fuuya abandoned the hunting escapade and returned to Bumutoto with the new-found girl, met accidentally in the forest. As they became husband and wife, Nabarwa discovered that Fuuya was not circumcised like her tribe mates. She advised Fuuya that in order to continue in their relationship he had to accompany her home so that a ceremony to circumcise him could be arranged.

Fuuya after consulting his clans’ men agreed to undergo the circumcision to ensure that Nabarwa does not abandon him for good. Both Fuuya and Nabarwa were allowed to go to Nabarwa’s home so that Fuuya could be circumcised in accordance with the Barwa tradition. After Fuuya was circumcised, he was given a lot of presents and treated with honour such that when the wound soon be healed, a send-off party was held for both of them.

Both Fuuya and Nabarwa were declared properly married hence were allowed to return to Fuuya’s home in Bumutoto. Out of their marriage they were blessed with three children all of whom were sons. These boys were always sick. There was no cure for these children hence they continued to suffer with no known disease.

It happened that one day they received a visitor who was a brother-in-law to Fuuya. He was called Aramunyenye (Munyanya). The visitor was extremely disappointed when he noticed that his nephews were very sick and thin. He told his brother-in-law that the children were possessed because some rituals had not been performed, they were not circumcised. In order to save the children from death he suggested that the parents and clan members allow him to circumcise his nephews right away.

Fuuya and his clan members reluctantly allowed him to carry out the ritual so as to save the children’s lives.

Aramunyenye performed the circumcision successfully and the boys were nursed properly and fed on rich foods. This good treatment enabled the boys to get cured in the shortest time ever seen by Bamasaaba. When they had fully cured, the boys had also gained weight as a result of good feeding. This action pleased Fuuya and wife very much. The neighbours who had witnessed all these actions were also so happy that they subsequently adopted the circumcision ritual.

Slowly byslowly the custom spread throughout the whole nation of Bamasaaba, beginning with the sons of Wanale, the last born, followed by the sons of Mubuya and ending with the sons of Mwambu (Badadiri), the first born. From that time to date, circumcision has remained a strong bond among the Bamasaaba. The fact that Nabarwa had undergone female circumcision, it was not adopted among Bamasaaba females. Only the boys are circumcised every even year. That is why the world’s anti Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) have never had any confrontation with Bamasaaba

Nabendeh Wamoto S.P. (+256776658433)

Email: simonwamoto@yahoo.co.uk

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Bishop Kibuuka charged with alleged aggravated torture of 14-year-old

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Our Reporter
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Fred Enanga, Police spokesperson

Police has charged to court, Bishop Kibuuka Jacinto, of the Evangelical Orthodox Church, located at Mamre Prayer Center, Namugongo, for the alleged aggravated torture of Othieno Denis, a 14 year old, pupil of Christ the King Junior School, Namungoona.

Police Spokesman Fred Enanga said that on the 22nd August 2022, the victim was at Mamre Prayer Center, with his mother, Kemigisha Juliet, who works as a cleaner. “The mother left him behind and went to town. It was during her absence that the Bishop called the victim and started demanding his money, Shs10,000 which was allegedly stolen by him. Instead of referring the matter to police, he started beating and kicking the 14 year old victim. He then dragged him into his car and continued beating him as they drove to the mother’s home at Namugongo-Janda in Kira Municipality, to recover the money.”

“It took the intervention of the landlady, who rescued the victim and rushed him to Nuwa Hospital, Nabusugwe-Mukono, where he was admitted,” Enanga said adding that the victim is recovering from the injuries which were classified as grievous in nature.

The police at Kira upon receiving the complaint, instituted inquiries and obtained very clear accounts of the incident, with relevant witnesses’ statements. They retrieved medical documents and reconstructed the scene at Mamre Prayer Center.

The Bishop also recorded a statement and was released on bond. It was however, canceled on the 24th August, after charges of Aggravated Torture were sanctioned against him.

He was caused to appear in court at Kira on the 25th August.

Police condemn all acts of torture, harassment and intimidation, more so by church leaders against vulnerable persons. Part of the mission of church, is to defend the poor, marginalized and vulnerable persons and further promote commitment to compassion and justice. The acts therefore, were not consistent with the values of church and not justified under any circumstance.

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Gen Tumwine has been a dedicated and hardworking cadre – UPDF

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Our Reporter
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Gen. Tumwine.

The Ministry of Defence And Veteran Affairs and the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) eulogized the fallen former Minister for Security General Elly.

Gen Tumwiine, a longtime member of the High Command and Army Council died earlier today at Aga Khan Hospital, Nairobi- Kenya. He succumbed to lung cancer.

“We register our condolences with his family and the entire UPDF fraternity as well as all the Ugandans of good will,” Brig Gen Felix Kulaigye, the Defence spokesperson said.

The army said Gen Tumwine has always been a dedicated and hardworking cadre and will always remember his patriotic contribution to the revolution. Burial arrangements will be announced later.

Gen Elly Tumwiine joined the resistance in 1979, trained as Officer Cadet at Monduli, was the one who fired the first shot at Kabamba on the 6th of February 1981and has been part of the leadership in various capacities ever since.  He was injured at Bukomero and lost one eye.

He served the government in various capacities which included; being Army- Commander, member of the High Command, Director-General of Intelligence, and Minister of Security among others.

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EU provides Uganda Shs15 billion in additional funding to support people in need

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Our Reporter
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Refugees

The European Union (EU) has allocated an additional €4 million (Shs15.2 billion) to Uganda, to help the country address the influx of new refugees from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and address the food insecurity in Uganda’s Karamoja region, on the border with Kenya.

EU Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič, said: “Prevailing insecurity in the eastern DRC has led to an increase in the number of refugee arrivals in neighbouring Uganda, which is already hosting the largest refugee population in Africa. This funding will enable our humanitarian partners address the most urgent emergency needs, including supporting those newly displaced. In addition, funding has been allocated to Uganda to help the country address the rapidly deteriorating food security situation in its Karamoja region, where half a million people are in urgent need of food assistance.”

The top-up amount brings the total funding for Uganda to €34 million (Shs130 billion) in 2022.

The security situation in the DRC has resulted in a large number of people seeking refuge in neighbouring Uganda, with more than 57,000 arriving since January 2022. Uganda already hosts the largest refugee population in Africa (1.5 million) and the third largest in the world.

The Karamoja area, in Uganda’s northeast, is currently facing the devastating consequences of the drought affecting the Horn of Africa – often described as “the worst in a generation.”

More than 500,000 people are in urgent need of food assistance, with around 100,000 children and pregnant and lactating women being acutely malnourished.

The additional funding allocated by the EU will allow humanitarian partners to provide food and nutrition assistance, including immediate life-saving assistance to the most vulnerable. Of this latest additional EU funding, €2 million is earmarked for support action in Karamoja while €2 million will support the emergency in south western Uganda.

The European Union and its Member States are the world’s leading donor of humanitarian aid. Relief assistance is an expression of European solidarity with people in need all around the world. It aims to save lives, prevent and alleviate human suffering, and safeguard the integrity and human dignity of populations affected by natural disasters and man-made crises.

Through the European Commission’s Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), the European Union helps millions of victims of conflict and disasters every year. With headquarters in Brussels and a global network of field offices, including in Kampala, Uganda, the European Union assists the most vulnerable people on the basis of humanitarian needs

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