The leader of the National Economic Empowerment Dialogue (NEED) Joseph Kabuleta has vowed to transform Uganda in two years when trust him with power. The former presidential candidate said this while meeting his supporters in Jinja.
Kabuleta told the people of Busoga to go back to growing coffee because they have no cash crop. “You used to grow coffee and cotton but you later abandoned it. Sugar cane has led you to this chronic poverty because the cane factories have put procedures aimed at making you poorer that you can’t directly sell to them and get money.”
He said there is no region in Uganda which had a better railway network than Busoga. All trains from various regions would end up in Jinja because it had all the factories dealing in cotton, Copper and others.
Kabuleta said President Yoweri Kaguta Tubuhaburwa Museveni’s decision to prioritise scientists is wrong because they all spend the same time in school. “We are poor not because we don’t have scientists but because Museveni’s government brought all this. We therefore need all professionals be it lawyers, Doctors, engineers and others.”
Kabuleta is the only candidate promising more than removing Museveni. There is no one who has mentioned anything more than removing Museveni. They intend to bring prosperity, ending poverty that has made everyone destitute, desperate.
“Ugandan’s problems are caused by lack of leadership. Disparaging scientists over arts is wrong. Prioritizing scientists who are not going to invent something is bad, scientists are not very special, and we need Leaders, lawyers and others from other departments.”
“We are promised to restore productive sectors like mining, agriculture which were the biggest sources of revenue in this country. We are going to create employment opportunities for the youth. 70% of the youth have no jobs. You will never be this poor when I become the president of Uganda,” he said.
Bitature's Skyz Hotel lined up for auction over bank loan
Embattled Kampala businessman Patrick Bitature was days ago dealt a blow as court dismissed his application seeking to stop Vantage from going on with a case to prosecute him privately to recover $34 million.
In December 2014, Bitature’s Simba Properties Investment Company (SPIC) acquired $10 million loan from Vantage to pay an outstanding loan but also complete his Skyz Hotel in Kampala.
Bitature at the time praised Vantage for the timely financial help. Now he does not want to pay the loan arguing that it is illegal, the date of repayment having elapsed in December 2019.
However, after establishing that he will not fool courts of law, like it happened recently when court threw his application against Vantage, Bitature is looking for ways of dragging other people into his financial scandal that has tarnished his name. Now it appears he also wants to tarnish names of others.
For instance, he has said part of the loan he acquired from Vantage was paid to Crane Bank Limited (CBL), formerly owned by Sudhir Ruparelia, the Chairman of Ruparelia Group. CBL was unfairly sold by Bank of Uganda (BoU) to DFCU in January 2017 in a transaction worth Shs200 billion, paid in installments.
Bitature in trying to make himself clean and has also gone ahead to say he partly engaged in smuggling to build his business empire. “But this does not mean that when you willingly borrow money, you run to court to avoid paying back and then you bring other people into your saga,” said a top lawyer who is not happy that Bitature mentioned defunct CBL and its major shareholder then.
Muwema bad lawyer for Bitature!
Some people were wondering why Bitature hired Fred Muwema of Muwema &Co Advocates. But now they know. Muwema is a lawyer who thinks he can use the law to have his Ugandan clients dodge paying loans borrowed from foreign lenders.
Counsel Fred Muwema
He usually bases his arguments on the Financial Institutions’ Act, 2004. He has tried this with another businessman Hamis Kiggundu of Ham Enterprises Limited that does want to pay back a loan that Diamond Trust Bank Uganda and Diamond Trust Bank Kenya gave him, saying it was illegal.
BoU, the Ministry of Finance as well as Uganda Bankers’ Association (UBA) say syndicated loans that come from outside of the country cannot be seen to be illegal as long as they come from registered and licensed business entities of other countries. UBA members say about Shs7 trillion worth of loans in Uganda are loans obtained from outside and people like Bitature are a threat to this important source of credit for the country.
What Bitature does not realise is that Counsel Muwema is there to earn as much money from him as the lawyer continues to mislead the businessman who seem to be bend on the Ugandan law, forgetting that the country is part of the international community that operates on international laws that do not exclude loan transactions.
For instance, Muwema in Bitature’s application lied to court that he had filed a case with High Court stopping private prosecution of Bitature. It turned out to be a lie. And for this lie, court held Muwema personally liable and he was asked to pay costs of the suit. But they say birds of the same feathers fly together.
Top govt officials blast business men who don’t want to pay debts
Though they didn’t mention names, the Finance Ministry’s Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury, Ramathan Ggoobi and BoU Deputy Governor Michael Atingi-Ego recently said they are not happy with Ugandans who don’t want to pay their loans, saying they are creating a bad image for the country that wants to be a top investment destination in Africa.
Foreign creditors now fear to lend their money to Ugandans, the two officials said. Antigi-Ego is not happy with people like Bitature who run to courts after failing to pay their debts. Ego said over Shs4 trillion is being held up by court cases.
Bitature’s properties that could be auctioned after failing to pay back a loan; are; Skyz Hotel, Elizabeth Royal Apartments in the upscale Kololo and Moyo Close Apartments in Bukoto, all located in Kampala.
Vantage serious on selling Bitature’s properties
Kirunda’s law firm, M/S Kirunda & Wasige Advocates has given Quick Auctioneers and Court Bailiffs a job to look for buyers as per the May 18, 2022 advert in the newspapers to recover from $34 million, saying Vantage regulated in South Africa has the right to recover its money.
“The Simba Group and Mr. Bitature have not paid a single cent of their indebtedness under the loan. The result of not servicing any interest, compounding over seven years, is that the indebtedness has ballooned to over $34,000, 000,” says Vantage in a public statement published on April 23, 2022.
M/S Kirunda & Wasige Advocates insist Bitature’s mentioned properties will be sold unless he pays his debt owed to Vantage.
Playing games will not help on the side of Bitature.
The Bank of Uganda-BoU Deputy Governor, Michael Atingi-Ego has criticized tycoon Patrick Bitature for failing to pay his loan he acquired from South African lenders Vantage Capital.
Atingi-Ego, was among those who spoke during the plenary session that was held on Thursday afternoon at Serena Conference Center. He used his time to pronounce himself on many things including some of the things that make lending to Ugandan businesses such a risky venture.
The panel discussed proposals contained in a huge report authored by the National Planning Authority (NPA) in order to find ways to bring down the cost of borrowing or accessing credit for Ugandan private businesses.
The day’s theme (Reducing the Cost of Credit in Uganda: A case of Public Investment in Banking) made reflection on the Bitature saga very appropriate.
The embattled tycoon finds himself in bad publicity for defaulting on his loan of $10m attained from the South African based lenders, which has since accrued to $34m in a seven-and-a-half-year period.
The BoU boss made veiled reference to the decision by Bitature‘s lawyers to keep running to court to keep evading repayment responsibility instead of duly advising their client to pay up.
The Central Bank chief said mere increasing capital and market share for the government-owned banks (as contained in the NPA proposals) won’t be enough to make credit cheaper in Uganda because there are many other factors complicating the lending business in Uganda.
He gave the example of so-called business tycoons (he didn’t mention any specifically) who don’t have the willingness to act honestly and pay back when the loan is due even when they have the money. He castigated them for obstinately running to court to seek temporary protection against foreclosure (of the mortgaged properties or assets) even when they well know that loan repayment is due.
He said this explains why collateral (loan security) worth over Shs7trn continues to be tied up in endless commercial disputes in the Commercial Division of the High Court mostly between banks and defaulting borrowers.
He challenged the Judiciary to rise to the occasion and be alert about such defaulting tycoons who dubiously seek refuge in courts of law instead of paying up the money previously borrowed. He saluted the Justice Ministry for working closely with the Finance Ministry to accelerate the recruitment of more High Court judges to expedite the hearing and disposal of such commercial disputes.
The Central Bank boss’ views were to later be amplified by Wilbroad Owor, the Executive Director for Uganda Banker’s Association (UBA), which brings together 25 commercial banks and one development bank (UDB).
Owor said the Judicial officers had better become serious by keenly beginning to crack the whip on such defaulting businessmen and borrowers because their mal-conduct and elusiveness when it comes to paying back borrowed money was seriously threatening Uganda’s reputation and suitability as an investment destination attractive to those involved in the lending business
Patrick Bitature isn’t the first Ugandan businessman to hide behind legal technicalities to justify non-repayment of borrowed money in billions. Hammis Kiggundu, equally represented by Fred Muwema had previously tried to circumvent paying back hundreds of billions borrowed from Diamond Trust Bank on grounds their Kenyan operation, from which he borrowed some of the money, wasn’t licensed to conduct the lending business in the Ugandan market.
Atingi-Ego asserted that such conduct by lawyers, defaulting borrowers and their accomplices in the Judiciary was partly to blame as to why commercial banks are increasingly considering lending to the Ugandan private sector risky which accounts for prohibitions like high interest rates.
The Joint Security Forces continue to pacify Karamoja Sub-region as more illegal guns and ammunition are recovered and arrests made.
On 25th May 2022, six illegal guns were recovered; five from Loptuk Sub County in Moroto District whereas and one from Nakapiripirit District.
This now brings the total to 40 illegal guns and 192 Rounds of Ammunition recovered since 16th May 2022.
“Such separate recoveries and previous ones show positive energy and tireless efforts by Commanders, intelligence officers and troops who are conducting simultaneous Cordon and Search Operations, effecting deployments in towns and suspected corridors to pacify the sub-region,” said the 3rd Division Second In Command, Brig Gen David Mugisha.
The Commandant Anti-Stock Theft Unit, Commissioner of Police, Elias Kasirabo stressed that the forces will maintain the operational tempo. He lauded the forces and local leadership for their right direction in returning normalcy to the region.
The Regional Police Commander for Mt Moroto, SSP Francis Chemusto attributed this success to the coordinated intelligence network.
“The operations were intelligence-led targeting prime suspects from Nadunget Market, whom we interviewed and managed to make recoveries peacefully,” he said.
In a period of ten days, the intensified Cordon and Search Operations across nine (9) districts of Karamoja Sub-region, the Joint Security Forces have been able to arrest 3592 suspects, screened and released 2298 persons, prosecuted and remanded 396. Another 898 suspects are still in custody and 22 pieces of armed forces uniforms have been recovered.
He cited the guiding law, Section 286 of the Penal Code Act (PCA) for possible prosecution.
”Cases of robbery and murder by some of these criminals due to deadly weapons will be taken on and a charge of compounding a felony preferred” said SSP Chemusto.
He added that suspects are screened before prosecution to show transparency.
The Regional Police Commander for Kidepo, SSP Dauda Hiriga, noted that upon completion of investigations and files, on addition to other charges the suspects will be charged with offences related to illegal possession of government stores.
The Commanders noted that since full scale Cordon and Search Operations were re-energized and enhanced, there has been a drop in cases of cattle rustling.
In the execution of operations, the forces adhere to the principles of legality and proportionality in the promotion of human rights standards, including suspects’ rights to food, respect and protection, among others.
The Joint security forces comprising the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF), Uganda Police Force (UPF) and ASTU have of recent intensified target, Cordon and Search operations in order to arrest and prosecute criminals who have been terrorizing innocent people, breaking into peoples’ houses to steal house hold items and abducting herdsmen.
The operations also intend to recover illegal guns and ammunition from criminal elements across Karamoja Sub-region.
NTV senior journalist Babalanda James has passed on. His death was confirmed by the Nation Media Group (NMG). Babalanda was found dead in his house in Mukono district.
“It is with deep sorrow that we announce the death of colleague James Babalanda, a camera man attached to the business desk of NTV Uganda. He died on Friday May 27, 2022,” NMG) announced.
The deceased will be laid to rest on May 28, 2022 at Bunyangwe Village, Busiki in Busembatya, Namutumba district.
According to his work mates, the video journalist died in his sleep. They revealed that the deceased had been staying alone in the house. The Journalism fraternity has however eulogized him for being a kind, hardworking professional.
“This World is indeed not our home, today you are happy and the following day you go mute. This senior journalist, James Babalanda at NTV Uganda was so down to earth but unfortunately he is no more. May your soul rest in peace,” Ritah Kemigisa said.
NTV journalist Sudhir Byaruhanga; “We have lost our colleague James Babalanda. He was a very hard-working and humble camera person. He never gave up easily during an assignment and was always focused. The last time we met I congratulated him upon his weight loss and asked him for tips. I didn’t see you yesterday. Rest in Peace Babalanda.”
NBS Journalist Samalie Kisakye said; “Our colleague in the media fraternity NTV Uganda and Daily Monitor James Babalanda has passed on. May his soul rest in peace.”
The Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Kataaha Museveni has called upon science teachers to halt their industrial action and return to work as government works on their promised salary increment.
This comes three weeks after science teachers across the country decided to go on strike over government’s failure to increase their salaries as directed by president Museveni.
On Thursday, Janet Museveni said she was aware of the science teachers’ grievances but requested them to return to work, saying government is working on their salary enhancements.
“Science teachers across the country, I call upon you all to be patriotic and return to work as the government finds solutions to address your demands,” she said.
The minister further urged the science teachers to exercise patience while government works on their matters.
“The government is not against paying you well. You should be patient as money is sourced to fulfil the promise,” she said.
It’s worth noting that in the presidential directive and cabinet resolutions of August 24, 2021, Museveni directed that salaries for all science teachers be increased starting Financial Year 2022/23.
According to the directive, newly-appointed scientists’ (degree holders) salary was supposed to be increased to Shs4 million while that of diploma holders to Shs3m.
Following government’s failure to honour the president’s directive, science teachers and their umbrella, Uganda Professional Science Teachers’ Union, in early May decided to lay down tools until their salaries are increased as directed by Museveni.
Mr. Henrik Jespersen, Deputy Ambassador of Denmark to Uganda
The World Health Organization (WHO) has handed over three generators worth Shs 571 million purchased with financial support from the Government of Denmark through Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA) to the Ministry of Health to ensure steady supply of power for the oxygen plants and medical response in Gulu, Jinja, and Kabale Regional Referral Hospitals.
The generators provided are a response to the need observed in the country during the peak of Covid-19 pandemic, when the country was hit hard by the rapid rise in the number of people in need of oxygen.
“This support will enable these Regional Referral Hospitals to effectively respond to the need for stable and uninterrupted power supply faced by the units,” Hon. Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, the Ugandan Minister of Health said.
Dr. Aceng further thanked WHO and DANIDA for their continued support in the implementation of the Resurgence Response Plan, and contribution towards improved access to health services for people living in Uganda.
“The Danish government is pleased to partner with WHO and the Ministry of Health in strengthening the health service institutions in Uganda. Although these generators were intended for COVID-19 Resurgence Response, the Embassy believes that the generators will bridge the power supply gaps that have been affecting health service deliveries in these regional hospitals,” – Henrik Jespersen (Mr), Head of Cooperation/ Deputy Danish Ambassador to Uganda.
WHO has the international mandate to coordinate international and national health response. The WHO country office in Uganda has since the outbreak of COVID-19 in March 2020 played a pivotal role in supporting the national emergency response and providing technical guidance on COVID-19.
“The provision of these generators is part of our mission to support the country in response to health emergencies as well as building a resilient health system that is able to withstand shocks and ensure continuity of essential health services, as outlined in SDG3 on Good Health and Well-Being,” – Dr. Yonas Tegegn Woldemariam, the WHO Representative to Uganda.
Dr. Tegegn also noted that WHO counts on the stewardship of the Ministry of Health to ensure continuous supply of fuel and maintenance of the generators in order to meet the current and future medical oxygen needs in the identified hospitals.
Uganda developed and launched the national Resurgence Response Plan 2021/2022 in line with global guidance and the revised WHO COVID-19 Strategic preparedness and response plan (Feb 2021-Jan 2022). The plan provides a framework for a robust response to mitigate the risks associated with COVID-19 resurgence and to strengthen sustainable structures for emergency response in the country.
Henry Mayega, Uganda’s Deputy Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates has been appointed first Consul General of the newly opened Consulate in Dubai.
“In the interest of service and in your own interest, it has been decided that you be appointed as the Consul General for Uganda Consulate in Dubai with immediate effect. You should therefore handover office in accordance with section F-D of the Uganda Public Service standing orders 2021 and arrange to report to your new duty station,” reads the appointment letter from Mr. Vincent Bagiire Waiswa, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Uganda has been operating an embassy in Abu Dhabi but due to the growing demand of consul services in Dubai where majority Ugandans have trade and other business links, the Ministry of foreign Affairs deemed it necessary to have a consulate opened so as to fasten services.
A Consul is an official representative of the government of one state in the territory of another, normally acting to assist and protect the citizens of the consul’s own country, as well as to facilitate trade and friendship between the people of the two countries.
A Consul is different from an ambassador, the latter being a representative from one head of state to another, but both have a form of immunity.
Amb. Mayega previously served as Uganda’s Deputy Ambassador to China before being transferred to Abu Dhabi in the same capacity.
Postbank contributes Sh15 million for Uganda Martyrs’ day
Postbank on Thursday May 26, handed over a cheque of Shs 15 million to the Anglican Church as it prepares to celebrate Martyrs’ Day.
The celebrations will be held at the Namugongo Anglican Shrine in Central Uganda on the 3rd of next month.
The contribution comes days after PostBank sponsored and organized a fundraising dinner to support Greater Ankole Diocese collect funds essential for the smooth running of the Martyrs Day celebrations.
Guests in attendance included the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Thomas Tayebwa, Dr. Chris Baryomunsi and other government and religious dignitaries who fundraised over Shs200 million at the dinner.
This year’s Martyrs Day is the first-time pilgrims will congregate at Namugongo after over 2 years of COVID-19 lockdown.
While handing over the bank’s contribution, Julius Kakeeto, Managing Director, PostBank Uganda Ltd, applauded the Anglican Church for their admirable efforts in curbing the spread of COVID-19 while still keeping all Christians well fed spiritually.
“Today on behalf of Postbank Uganda Limited, I am honored to hand over our contribution to Shs 15 million. This contribution serves to reaffirm our long-standing relationship with the Church,” Kakeeto said, adding that, “The Bank is committed to supporting all causes that are aligned with the transformation of lives and livelihoods.”
Rt. Rev. Sheldon Mwesigwa, Bishop of the Ankole Diocese, who doubles as the Chair of this year’s Martyrs Day celebrations, lauded the Bank for its warm gesture. “I would like to thank Postbank for its generosity towards the Church. This contribution will go a long way in ensuring that the Martyrs Day celebrations are a success,” Bishop Mwesigwa said.
The Bishop also appreciated Postbank for extending financial services to the Greater Ankole region. He remarked that, “Most people in Ankole are agriculture driven and Postbank is well known for offering the most affordable agribusiness loans.”
Robert Rukari, MP Mbarara City North Constituency, congratulated the Bank upon its transition into a Tier One commercial bank and pledged the government’s support to the Church.
Martyrs’ Day celebrations in Uganda attract a multitude of pilgrims from across the world, and this year, the Anglican Church expects to host over 20,000 pilgrims.
Uganda has learnt the pathway to the African Nations Championship (CHAN), Algeria 2022.
The draw for the qualifiers was conducted on Thursday in Cairo, Egypt.
The aforementioned tournament comes after every two years and organised by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) exclusively featuring players from the respective national championships.
In the draw conducted Uganda got a bye at the first round and will wait for the winner between Somalia and Tanzania at the next round. First round first leg matches will be played between 22 and 24 July with the return legs a week later.
Therefore, Uganda Cranes will play in August with the winner on aggregate qualifying to the final tournament.
Uganda is seeking to qualify for the sixth time having appeared at the previous five editions (2011, 2014, 2016, 2018 and 2020).
Confederation of African Football (Caf) announced the increase in the number of teams from 16 to 18, leading to an unusual format for the finals in Algeria next year.
Caf says the finals will have five groups; three of which will have four nations, while the other two will be comprised of just three teams.
It means the top two from the four-team groups will be joined in the quarter-finals by the winners of the other two pools.
The tournament is scheduled to take place from January 8, 2023 to Tuesday, Jan 31, 2023.
