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Janet Museveni commissions new buildings at Makerere, lays the foundation stone for the Main Building

By
Simon Kabayo
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janet Museveni lays the foundation stone for Makerere Main Building

First Lady and Education Minister, Hon. Janet Museveni on Tuesday, 17th May, 2022 visited Makerere University where she officially opened new teaching facilities and laid two foundation stones for the reconstruction and restoration of the iconic Main Building and another, for the School of Law.

The Central Teaching Facilities 1 and 2 that were officially opened by the Education Minister are housing lecture rooms, administrative offices, boardrooms, a 1000 seater auditorium, and study rooms among others.

The First Lady also laid a foundation stone for the new School of Law building that will have a Moot Court room, Seminar Rooms, Lounges, Lactation Room, Offices, and Judge’s Ante Room among other facilities.

“I am both honored to lay a foundation stone for the reconstruction of the Makerere University Main Building and the School of Law. It is my prayer that God will indeed be the foundation of the structure and for the University for all time,” Janet said.

She went on to open The Dental School and Hospital which is expected to boost dental studies at the university. It is equipped with a Plant/Machine Room, Dental Studios/Clinics, Recovery Rooms, Washrooms, Storage and Staff Offices, Student Locker Spaces among other things.

Hon. Janet Museveni concluded the visit by laying a foundation stone for the reconstruction of the Main Building, which will have facilities including but not limited to the; Museum, Gallery, Exhibit Preparation Room, Archives, Central Stores, Lifts, Souvenir Shop and administrative offices.

Hon. Janet Museveni, who last visited the university in September 2020, when the Main Building had just been gutted by fire, was elated to note that she now returns on a happy note to lay a foundation stone for the reconstruction of the Main Building.

“We must therefore seek God’s guidance and help as we raise new foundations, rebuild the waste places and repair the broken walls, restoring the paths for the generations to come. One of our guiding Scriptures at the Ministry of Education and Sports is Isaiah 61:4, which says; they shall rebuild the ancient ruins, they shall raise up former devastations, they shall repair the ruined cities and devastations of many generations,” Janet stated.

The Education Minister applauded the Council and the management team led by Prof Nawangwe for being good stewards of the infrastructure entrusted to them. He thanked them for providing leadership to the institution.

Mrs. Lorna Magara, the Chairperson of the Makerere University Council talked of how the Education Minister passionately pursued the construction of the Dental Hospital which has enabled the institution’s dental programme to gain clearance from regional accreditation bodies.

The Vice-Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe thanked Hon. Janet Museveni for her untiring efforts in making Makerere a world class university. He went ahead to mention that she has had a direct input in raising the resources for all these infrastructure projects costing more than Shs 60 billion.

Speaking on behalf of Makerere@100 Organizing Committee, Rt. Hon. Dan Fred Kidega, Deputy Chairperson of the University Council thanked the First Lady for her stewardship in negotiating $300m for the construction of the university teaching hospital. The teaching hospital is part of the legacy projects earmarked as part of the activities to commemorate Makerere’s 100 years of existence.

The Education Minister is expected to return to Makerere University together with His Excellency the President, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on Monday 23rd May, 2021 at the 72nd Graduation Ceremony.

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Omoro by-election: NRM’s Andrew Oulanyah’s nomination challenged

By
Simon Kabayo
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Andrew Ojok

The Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) candidate in Omoro County by-election, Kizza Oscar has contested the nomination of the National Resistance Movement (NRM)’s Andrew Ojok Oulanyah.

Kiiza has given the Electoral Commission (EC) up to Friday, May 20, 2022, to clarify on the nomination Ojok Oulanyah, which he claims is inappropriate.

In a Kiiza’s petition to the EC he said that Ojok has a different name on his National ID and academic papers. Yet, he continues to use the name “Oulanyah.”

“I wish to lodge and register my complaint against the purported nomination of a persons the NRM presented as a candidate called “Ojok Andrew Oulanyah,” the petition reads in part.

Kiiza claims that the person who was nominated by the NRM has no academic papers because the two names are different in law which makes his nomination illegal.

“The person nomination as ‘Ojok Andrew Oulanyah’ does not exist and has no academic qualifications but has instead attached and is using academic papers for Ojok Andrew O,” he added.

Kiiza said that Ojok’s nomination undermines the Parliamentary Act 2002 Section 13 and wants the EC to conclude that it was “irregular and illegal.”

Tasked to comment on the allegations, Ojok told this website that he was yet to receive the complaint officially.

“Once we receive a petition, we shall drop the defence officially. There should be no offence in that respect,” Ojok said.

Ojok said that he is not scared because he is sure that he has all the necessities required by the EC to contest.

“We are very sure of victory, they are now scared and going into technicalities,” he said.

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Milk production jumps to 2.8bn liters

By
Ronard Shabomwe
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Milk sellers

Uganda’s dairy sector continued the upward curve with milk production hitting 2.8 billion liters in 2020, Dairy Development Authority has indicated. In 2018, the country produced 2.5 billion liters.

The raise in milk production has been attributed to continued investment in the sector and the expansion of milk collection centers across the country. 

Currently, there are 483 milk collection centers countrywide with a total installed capacity of 1,938,522 liters.

Dairy Development Authority Executive Director, Dr. Michael Kansiime, said the dairy sector was currently growing at an average rate of 8% per annum, mainly due to the strategic interventions of government. 

“The sector is one of the leading agricultural commodity export income-earners second to coffee and slowly edging its way to be the leading agricultural export earner in the country,” he noted.

Geoffrey Mulwana, the JESA Dairy Executive Director, one of the leading producers and processors of milk, said that with more milk produced, it was important for processors to continue to invest in the sector’s value chain especially in areas that ensure quality of the products that reach the market.

“Our going investment in capacity expansion is creating empowerment along the value chain and this ensures that the benefits of growth of the sector are felt by the people on the ground.”  

Investment in the value chain has meant creating opportunities along the way for different players, including suppliers.

David Wambuzi, one of the direct beneficiary of this growth and JESA supplier, said since he started supplying JESA products to different retail shops and restaurants in Kampala, things have never been the same.

He says his job has afforded him possibilities he never dreamt of before. “If one is not lazy while doing this job, you can achieve [your] dream goals. I can’t regret becoming a JESA supplier,” he says.

Milk processing is one of the fastest growing sub-sectors with 135 licensed companies with processing capacity of 2.8 million liters per day.

Records show that the percentage of the marketed milk that is processed stands at approximately 34%.

According to Dr. Kansiime, Dairy Development Authority is spearheading the rehabilitation and equipping of milk collection centers, especially in Buganda, northern and eastern regions that 

Dairy Development Authority inherited from the defunct Dairy Corporation.

On the other hand, milk transportation has greatly improved, thanks to the increase in milk tankers. Currently, there are 329 road milk tankers with capacity of hauling 2.16 million liters on the road daily.

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Bitature’s Skyz Hotel lined up for auction over bank loan

By
Our Reporter
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Bitature's Skyz Hotel lined up for auction over bank loan

Skyz Hotel Naguru along with other two properties owned by Patrick Bitature under Simba Group have been listed for auctioning over defaulting bank loans.

“Duly instructed by M/s Kirunda & Wasige Advocates, on behalf of their client the registered mortgagee, we shall proceed to sell by public auction/private treaty the undermentioned property under the Mortgage Act, 2009 unless the debtor/mortgagor pays the entire outstanding loan balance and all costs attendant to our clients within 30 calendar days from the date of this advert, our client shall sake or take possession of the property described here to recover all the monies owed,” the notice reads.

The other properties are Elizabeth Royal Apartments in Kololo and Moyo Close Apartments.

However, the High Court has temporarily halted the auction and given Bitature more time to raise money and pay back the loan.

In 2014, Bitature under Simba Property Investment secured $10 million (Shs36 billion) from a South African money lender, Vantage Mezzanine Fund to expand his empire.

Simba Property Investment houses Protea Hotel Kampala, Elizabeth Royal Apartments, which consists of 30 high end apartments. Skyz Hotel Naguru and Moyo Close Apartments – made up of 14 high end apartments located in Kololo, Kampala.

Under the agreement, Bitature was convinced to surrender all his businesses as securities for purposes of covering the debt.

Years later, the debt had skyrocketed and Bitature was struggling to pay back the debt, finding himself at risk of having to surrender his entire business empire to auction.

However in a high court ruling on May 9, 2022, Justice Musa Ssekaana declared the transaction illegal and untenable.

The South African money lender had instructed its Ugandan lawyers led by Robert Kirunda to demand the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) execute the transfer forms, allowing it to take over the tycoon’s business empire.

However, Vantage Capital had failed to adhere to the mandatory legal process of registering its business in Uganda before conducting business here. Operating as a partnership in the country, it was legally required to register with the URSB before entering into the loan agreement with Mr Bitature.

URSB refused to change the ownership of the securities which Mr Bitature had purportedly transferred into Vantage Fund’s name. The URSB managers said they couldn’t do so because the transfer they were pursuing was a matter of contestation before Justice Boniface Wamala.

URSB contended that the main reason for refusal to continue to consider the registration of the documents was that there was a dispute which in their view was referred to arbitration by Justice Wamala in his ruling when he noted thus; “ Impugned arbitration agreement exists, is valid, operative and capable of being performed, and that there is an arbitrable dispute between the parties herein, it is ordered that this matter be and is accordingly referred to arbitration in accordance with section 5 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act”.

URSB Lawyer Mr. Birungi Dennis submitted that the Vantage Capital is a non-existent legal entity and hence incapable of instituting these proceedings because there is no entity in the names of the Applicant. The bureau averred that no such entity exists in the territorial jurisdiction of the Republic of Uganda and therefore this application cannot be instituted by a non-existent entity.

Vinatge cited Order 14 of the South African Rules stating that a partnership may sue in its names the same way our Civil Procedure Rules provide, however, nowhere do they show that they are a valid partnership. They attached the High Court Rules of Procedure of the Republic of South Africa as proof of existence of a partnership, but those Rules do not apply in Uganda a sovereign state with its own Rules.

“The applicant may indeed be a partnership in South Africa but it is not clear to this court whether it was registered or not in the same country or the same laws applicable in that country are in pari materia with the legal position in Uganda. Therefore this court will interrogate this fact to come to its finding and determination,” Justice Ssekaana said.

“In the same vain, this Court rejects the submission of counsel for the applicant, that foreign partnerships are free to operate in Uganda outside the regulatory registration requirements contained in the Partnerships Act, 2010 and the Business Names Registration Act (Cap 109). Order 30 of the Civil Procedure Rules provides suing and being sued once the partnership has satisfied the mandatory requirements of the law. Therefore, the international partnerships or foreign partnerships just like the Ugandan partnership cannot be recognized once they are not registered since their identities are unknown and it may open the door wide for fraud in their transactions and dealings.”

Vintage Mezzanine Fund 11 was represented by Mr. Robert Kirunda while Mr. Birungi Dennis represented URSB and Mr. Fredrick Muwema and Mr. Charles Nsubuga represented Simba Group.

Justice Ssekaana therefore ruled; “This court would have issued an order of certiorari quashing the decision of the 1st respondent (URSB) not to consider the applicant’s documents for registration because there are arbitration proceedings.”

“This court would have issued an order of mandamus compelling the applicant’s request to consider the registration of their documents on merit or advance reasons for denial or refusal to register the same in accordance with the law.

“The rest of the orders sought would not have been granted. Each party shall bear its costs.”

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Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba set to visit Kenya

By
Simon Kabayo
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Gen. Muhoozi

The First Son and Commander of Land Forces of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) Lt. Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba has revealed that he will be visiting Kenya next week. Gen. Muhoozi said on Twitter.

“To all my thousands of Kenyan followers and relatives I shall be in my second homeland next week to meet my big brother. After that we need to have a big party to celebrate the unity between Kenya and Uganda!” he tweeted.

This will be the second time Gen. Muhoozi visits Kenya since he last went there this year in January, where he was invited by the Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta during the inauguration of the Inland Container Depot in Naivasha.

The Commander has not only visited Kenya but also last year he visited Somalia where assessed UPDF troops in the newly liberated town of Bulo Marer, one of the major towns that were until recently still under the control of the terrorist group. He congratulated all the troops and commanders that participated in battles for having done well and made UPDF proud.

Recently, Muhoozi visited Rwanda and held talks with President Kagame which resulted in the reopening of the Rwanda-Uganda border, which had been closed since 2019.

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Opposition MPs put French diplomats on the spot over oil

By
Our Reporter
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LOP Mathias Mpuuga (R), French senator, Olivier Cadic (C) and Amb. Jules Armand Aniambossou

Members of the Opposition are concerned at France’s reluctance to stop French companies from exploiting Uganda’s fossil fuels in accordance with the Paris Climate Accords.

The concern was raised in a meeting between the Opposition Cabinet and a delegation of French diplomats, including French senator, Olivier Cadic at Parliament on Monday, 16 May 2022.

“Coming from your country, even if they are private, to promote the use of fossil oils that are being run away from. Isn’t it a contradiction? It is a very big contradiction. You should be encouraging your companies to help developing countries to begin engaging in alternative sources of energy,” Hon. Asuman Basalirwa, Bugiri Municipality MP said.  

The MPs spoke against a backdrop of a video clip that circulated over the weekend showing French President Emanuel Macron sandwiched by activists at the European Union Parliament in Brussel, Belgium, demanding that his government stops funding to TotalEnergies because of the company’s involvement in the development of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline over environmental concerns.

French Ambassador to Uganda, H.E. Jules Armand Aniambossou re-echoed his President’s statement telling the meeting that TotalEnergies is a private French company without government control.

“Our view about this project as per President Macron’s letter to President Museveni is that, it is the right of Ugandans to develop their oil sector but the rights of the people must be respected – their rights on land, there must be compensation of the community,” Aniambossou said.

He added that the French government is also keen on protecting the environment, an issue it had made clear to the French companies involved in the project.

The MPs also questioned their involvement in the exploration of Uganda’s oil and gas resources but at the same time kept silent about the country’s governance and human rights issues.

“We have had a lot of commentary from Europe on what is going on in Uganda but we are yet to pick the views of our French partners on matters regarding human rights, and how the French people think of what we regard as blatant abuse of human rights in this country because you are our strategic partners,” the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Mathias Mpuuga, said.

The Shadow Minister of Foreign Affairs also Kyadondo County East MP, Hon. Muwada Nkunyingi added: “We have seen France coming out strongly in other jurisdictions to condemn attacks on political and human rights activists, why is France silent when it comes to Uganda? Is it because of your economic interests? Is it because of the oil? [You have to be] mindful that this oil belongs to the people of Uganda.”

“It is important to take decisions based on what you are thinking as a country and not what other world powers like the US, the UK, China or Russia are thinking,” Cadic said as he attempted to explain why the French government prefers not directly to interfere in Uganda’s politics.

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Speaker calls for proper handling of Opposition politicians

By
Our Reporter
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Speaker Anita Among

The Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among has condemned the manner in which the security operatives arrested the former opposition presidential candidate, Dr. Kiiza Besigye saying it was a breach of human rights.

“I watched how Dr. Besigye was being arrested, it was in a brutal way.  I did not think that was correct; we need to talk to our people especially while handling people who are not armed,” said Among.

Besigye was arrested on 12 May 2022 as he attempted to walk to town in protest of rising commodity prices. He has since been under house arrest.

While chairing the House on Tuesday, 17 May 2022, Among said she did not approve of the way security officers conducted the arrest.

She directed the Attorney General, Hon. Kiryowa Kiwanuka to guide security agencies on the right way of arresting not only leaders but everybody despite of the political affiliations saying, ‘even though he is in Opposition, we are the same; today it might be Dr. Besigye but tomorrow it might you’.

Among made the remarks after  Bukonzo County West Member of Parliament, Hon. Atkins Katusabe described Besgiye’s arrest as violent, inhumane and degrading.

 “Dr. Besigye is a national leader, a parent and a brother to some people and served this government as a Minister of Foreign Affairs but he was violently arrested, locked up and jerked around the trousers like a chicken thief. I don’t think anybody in this House enjoys these ugly scenes,” Katusabe said.

He was concerned that if such unlawful arrests and torture are left unchecked, they will spill over.

Invoking article 24 of the constitution which prohibits any form of torture, cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment, Katusabe urged legislators to fight for the observance of human rights.

“Are we as the August House proceeding well if we keep ignoring ugly scenes that are tainting the country? It is within our power and mandate as MPs to protect and preserve this constitution; it is clear that nobody is above the constitution including those commanders that tortured Dr. Besigye,’ said Katusabe.

Kiira Municipality MP, hon. Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda criticized the Police for arresting Besigye without a court order, a practice he said is becoming rampant. 

“Last week, we had a report of the UN about violation of human rights that affect all of us. As I speak, Dr Besigye is under arrest even without a court order; you cannot turn his house into a prison,” Ssemujju said.

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UPDF operations in DRC to stop in two weeks 

By
Geoffery Serugo
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UPDF in DR Congo

The Operation Shujaa in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) will officially stop in two weeks, Eagle Online has learnt. The Operation aimed at flashing out the Allied Democratic Force (ADF) terrorists in DRC.

According to Commander of Land Forces Lt. Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the original agreement indicates that the operation is supposed to last for six months.

“Operation Shujaa will officially cease in about two weeks according to our original agreement. It was supposed to last for 6 months. Unless I get further instructions from our Commander in Chief or CDF, I will withdraw all our troops from DRC in two weeks,” Muhoozi said.

Since it was launched in November 2021, the operation is being conducted by the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) and Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC). Since then, the joint forces captured over 34 ADF terrorists and scores injured.

The two Forces are currently engaged in road construction and rehabilitation works to facilitate and further secure the movement of soldiers and the displaced civilian population, particularly on Mbau- Kamango and Mobili axes, Kamango-Semuliki- Beni.

In November last year, the two Forces launched joint air and artillery strikes against ADF camps. The attacking of ADF camps follows three terror attacks which claimed four lives and scores injured. According to police the first explosive occurred at Digida Pork joint in Komamboga, Lungala along Kampala Masaka Highway, Parliamentary Avenue and Kampala Central Police Station (CPS).

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Voting for Women Councils and Committees at village level set for July 7

By
Our Reporter
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Mr. Paul Bukenya - EC Spokesperson

Voting for Women Councils and Committees at village level is set to take place on July 7, 2022.

The current Women Councils and Committees were elected during the period June – August 2018, and the Executive Committee of the National Women’s Council was constituted on 23rd – 24 August 2018.

According to the National Women’s Council Act, the terms of office of the said Councils and Committees is four (4) years, implying their term will elapse in August 2022. The Committee consists of the Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary, Publicity Secretary and Secretary for Finance.

“The voting for Women Councils at village level will take place on 7th July. The exercise is progressive in nature and will therefore progress to Parish, sub-county, to the district, up to the National Delegates Conference for Women Councils Executive Committee from 23rd -24th August,” the Electoral Commission spokesperson, Paul Bukenya said.

“We released the Programme for Women Councils Elections on February 18, we notified the Political Parties, and other stakeholders. From March 10, we went across the country conducting stakeholders meetings, we put the country on notice and representatives of women, and have also conducted awareness Programmes,” Bukenya added.

Nomination of candidates at the Sub County Headquarters will take place from 27th June to 1st July 2022.

The campaign period for Women Councils and Committees Elections will be done from 4th to 6th July, 2022, within the villages.

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FDC members visit Dr. Besigye as his home remains under siege

By
Our Reporter
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FDC members visit Dr. Besigye

The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Party members have paid a courtesy visit to Dr. Kizza Besigye, who remains under house arrest. The Party members include; Buhweju County MP Francis Mwijukye, Kilak South MP Gilbert Olanya, Adeke Anna Ebaju, Okoti Pbitek junior, Nicholas Kamara among others.

Legislators moved along with lots of food stuff which included chicken, matooke and sundry, were first blocked by the police officers who have besieged the former presidential candidate’s home for the last five days.

Dr. Kizza Besigye was arrested last week and returned to his home as he attempted to walk to town in protest of the soaring prices of commodities in the country. He was scheduled to launch his latest campaign dubbed ‘Wakeup call’. He intended to mobilize citizens to protest against the hiking commodity prices in the country.

The legislators urged police to vacate Besigye’s home because the besieging of his home violates his right to movement among others enshrined in the constitution of Uganda.

Yesterday, police okayed Besigye’s lawyers access to his home however only five of them were cleared to go and interact with him. The five included; Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, Kunihira Proscovia, Gawaya Tegulle, Nuwenyesiga Gilbert, and one other lawyer.

“We want to secure ways and means ensuring that he regains his freedom. We want to interface with him and see how we can secure his freedom. Unfortunately we are being barred here without any reason. The commander of this deployment said for today she can’t allow us to see him,” Lukwago said before being cleared.

He added police officers should respect the law, freedom and rights of Dr. Besigye and them, the lawyers.

Mr. Matia Kasaija, the Minister for Finance Planning and Economic Development has since blamed the skyrocketing price of commodities to high prices of fuel and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Currently, most of the prices of essential commodities in the country have doubled.

Dating from 2011, Besigye has spearheaded various protests in the country. Following his defeat in the 2011 presidential elections, he led the famous walk to walk campaign protesting the high prices of food and fuel.

At the peak of the campaign, Besigye was arrested for a fourth time on 28 April, during a ‘walk-to-work’ protest and sprayed with pepper spray and dragged from his car by police. His arrest acted as a catalyst for additional protests leading to riots across Kampala, in which at least two people were killed and 120 people wounded, leading to some 360 arrests.

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