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12 arrested for illegally impounding motorcycles

By
Our Reporter
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Central Police Station Kampala yesterday carried out an operation in the areas of Clock tower and Biwologoma where several complaints had been registered about motorcycles being illegally impounded.

Most of the complaints were from motorists, especially boda boda riders who have been accusing people in civilian wear of impounding their motorcycles along clock tower area and later extort money from them before releasing the illegally impounded motorcycles.

According to the Kampala Metropolitan Deputy Police spokesperson, Luke Owoyesigyire, 12 suspects have been arrested. They include three KCCA enforcement officers whom the riders accuse of colluding with others to extort money.

“A chain used to lock down the motorcycles in ungazetted places has also been recovered and taken as evidence,” he said.

“The operation is still ongoing and the public should take note that only officers in uniform should stop and impound your motorcycle. In case you are affected by such a situation, report the matter to the DPC, Central Police Station or Officer in charge of traffic,” Owoyesigyire added.

The arrested suspects will be arraigned in courts of law as soon as investigations on them are done.

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NSSF embarks on consultations to amend Act that allows acquisition of mortgages

By
Geoffery Serugo
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Mr. Richard Byarugaba.

The National Social Security Fund (NSSF) has embarked on consultations to amend the NSSF Act to allow a portion of a member’s benefits to be utilised as collateral to access a mortgage.

According to Mr. Richard Byarugaba, the Managing Director of NSSF, the Fund is in receipt of the Uganda Retirement Benefits Authority (Assignment of Retirement Benefits for Mortgages and Loans) Regulations, 2022 issued by the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development.

“We have always supported reforms to laws governing retirement benefits schemes in Uganda. Specifically, a law that allows for a portion of a member’s benefits to be utilised as collateral to access a mortgage or loan to acquire a residential house. This position is further informed by feedback obtained from our members during various Post Retirement Surveys which show that over 68% of Fund beneficiaries spend their retirement money on land acquisition, home improvement and construction,” he said.

Currently, NSSF Act provides for full protection to members’ contributions and benefits and prohibits any charging or assignment of the same to a third party. This constrains the Fund from immediately implementing the recently issued regulations.

“We have commenced consultations with key stakeholders including the Fund’s supervising Ministry with a view to amending the offending clauses in the NSSF Act,” he said.

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Southern Africa faces uptick in #Covid-19 cases

By
Our Reporter
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Covid-19 testing kits

Southern Africa is facing an upsurge in COVID-19 cases for the third consecutive week as the winter season in the region approaches. The uptick has broken a two-month-long decline in overall infections recorded across the continent.

The sub-region recorded 46 271 cases in the week ending on 8 May 2022, marking a 32 per cent increase over the week before. The increase is largely driven by a spike in South Africa where weekly recorded cases have quadrupled in the past three weeks. Deaths have, however, not climbed as quickly. South Africa recorded 376 deaths in the past three weeks, twice as many compared with the previous three weeks.

Although cases have risen, hospitalization in South Africa remains low, with the number of patients currently admitted testing positive for COVID-19 at around 20 per cent of the late December 2021 peak. In Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal provinces, where the latest wave was first detected, both hospitalizations and in-hospital deaths increased by 90-100 per cent in the past two weeks over the previous fortnight.

The current surge is being fuelled by the Omicron variant amid relaxed public health and social measures. Since the beginning of April, South Africa alone has recorded 1369 cases of the Omicron sub-variant BA.2, 703 cases of sub-variant BA.4, and 222 cases of sub-variant BA.5. However, BA.4 and BA.5 remain the most concerning because the two sub-variants contain the largest number of mutations, and it is still unclear how they affect immunity.

In addition to South Africa, Eswatini and Namibia have also recorded an increase in cases, with both reporting 50 per cent more new cases in the past two weeks compared with the previous two weeks.

Africa’s past four pandemic waves have occurred around mid- and end-year and mostly driven by new COVID-19 variants, winter seasons and high population movement during these holiday periods. In 2021, the Delta-fuelled mid-year surge began round May and in late November with the emergence of Omicron.

“This uptick in cases is an early warning sign which we are closely monitoring. Now is the time for countries to step up preparedness and ensure that they can mount an effective response in the event of a fresh pandemic wave,” said Dr Abdou Salam Gueye, Director of Emergency Preparedness and Response at World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Africa.

Over the past two years African countries have greatly improved COVID-19 response, with key aspects such as surveillance, testing and treatment bolstered. It is vital that these measures are maintained and quickly scaled up should COVID-19 cases surge further and across many countries.

The continent has also ramped up genomic sequencing. Between January and April 2021, African laboratories reported about 9000 sequences. This has risen over four times to nearly 40,000 over the same period this year.

However, with the decline in cases earlier this year, countries have rolled back public health measures, including surveillance. Testing has also decreased. Between March and May 2022, only 30 per cent of countries reporting testing data met the WHO benchmark of carrying out 10 tests per 10,000 people per week. This is down from 40 per cent in the months between the waves driven by Delta and Omicron in 2021.

“With the experience gained over the past two years, we must do all it takes to curb the adverse impacts of a new pandemic wave by stepping up vaccination and the measures to detect and prevent the spread of the virus as well as treat patients,” Dr Gueye said. “To beat this pandemic, we must stay vigilant. The harsh reality is that complacency comes at a high price.”

So far, Africa has reported 11.7 million cases and around 253 000 deaths. The continent recorded 52 878 cases in the week ending on 8 May, a rise of 38 per cent from the week before.

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#Covid-19 vaccine saga: MPs want Musenero censured

By
Simon Kabayo
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Dr. Musenero

Members of Parliament led by Yona Musinguzi, the Ntungamo Municipality MP, have embarked on the process of censuring the minister for Science, Technology and Innovation Dr. Monica Musenero.

The move comes hours after a parliamentary probe recommended for disbandment and suspension of Preside, a company which received close to Shs 30 billion to manufacture Covid-19 vaccine with the support of Musenero.

By close of business on May 11, six MPs had appended their signatures on the motion.

In November 2021, Musinguzi petitioned Parliament over alleged misappropriation of funds allocated for research and manufacture of Covid-19 vaccine during the second wave of the pandemic.

This forced parliament to set up an ad hoc committee to investigate the matter.

Xavier Kyooma the MP Ibanda North who chaired the committee said they could not ascertain from the information given that whether a vaccine had been identified or was under development.

The report also discovered that Preside did not follow the required procedures of registration as per the medical requirements

“The committee observed that in as much as Preside had a plan to setup production activity, they had not been cleared by the central public health laboratories to commercially produce diagnostic kits which leaves a gap thus recommending for the disbandment and suspension of funding towards Preside,” Kyooma said.

Timothy Batuwa the MP Jinja West said Uganda does not have any technology or technical know-how for the manufacture of Covid-19 vaccine.

He queried: “We don’t have a law on genetic engineering. What was on the mind of Dr Musenero in receiving this money?”

In her defence, Dr. Monica Musenero dismissed some of the findings in the report as untrue.

“Preside was merged under the ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation so there’s no need for its existence. The Preside initiative had built a lot of capacity and I am greatly relieved because the report does not say anything about the Shs 79 billion that the petitioner alleged had been stolen,”Musenero said.

However, few minutes after the release of the report, MPs led by Musinguzi embarked on a process of censuring the minister.

“It is high time we started fighting thieves and I want now to categorically state that I have already signed mine and Musenero should go where she belongs,” said Naboth Namanya, the Rubabo MP.

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Col. Kizza Besigye arrested

By
Geoffery Serugo
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Besigye at his home in Kasangati

Former Presidential candidate Rtd. Col. Dr. Kizza Besigye has been arrested as he attempted to stage a  protest over the soaring prices of commodities in the country and an alleged “political succession.”

Dr. Besigye was nabbed from Kasangati moments after he left his home. Earlier there was a heavy deployment of Police to stop him from leaving his Kasangati based home. He was destined to launch his latest campaign dubbed ‘Wakeup call’.

On May 7, 2022, Besigye said he planned to start a campaign aimed at ensuring a smooth transition to a new leader, rather than a succession from President Museveni to his son.

The programme is dubbed ‘Tusimbule’ or ‘Transition not Success’. This is after Dr Besigye dismissed Lt Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s birthday celebrations as aimed at launching his presidential bid which they say is a succession plot.

Speaking before his arrest, the four-time presidential candidate said his intentions are aimed at mobilizing citizens to protest against the hiking commodity prices in the country. He called for downsizing of parliament and claim swindled funds from corrupt government officials.

Mr. Matia Kasaija, the Minister for Finance Planning and Economic Development has since linked 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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US expert tips Uganda on fighting fake drugs

By
Simon Kabayo
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Prof John B. Kaneene

Prof John B. Kaneene, a member of both the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Board and Michigan State University epidemiology has said Uganda must set up a national drug monitoring agency to fight fake drugs.

The agency, he said, will scrutinize drugs that are imported into the country.

Uganda already has a drug agency, National Drug Authority whose mandate is to check the quality of drugs but some people say it is more focused on locally produced drugs and has no capacity to check quality of

“To effectively fight importation of fake drugs and vaccines the country must establish a national monitoring agency that would look at drugs that come in,” Kaneene said.

Since time immemorial, Uganda’s vaccines/drugs industry has mostly been dependent on imported drugs mainly from India, Pakistan, USA and China.

Due to increased importation of millions of tonnes of vaccines and drugs annually, quality assurance of such drugs remains hanged in balance despite costing the country huge sums of money incurred in importation of such drugs.

This was worsened further by the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic that among others came along with restricted movements across borders prompting local leadership to think of developing locally adopted innovations including manufacturing drugs and medicines.

This led to rise of local drug manufacturing firms like Dei Group Pharmaceuticals/ Vaccines plant at Matugga.

Kaneene was at the plant to do a SWOT analysis of the plant and give a way forward. He said Uganda and Africa in general have a bright future in drug manufacturing.

“There are two ways we could do it. Number one is to produce our own drugs and this effort here is a big battle,” he said.

He amplified the possible dangers that result from continuous importation of fake drugs and vaccines.

“[It can lead to] drug resistance and I will give you an example, malaria which is one of the deadliest diseases here, people are drug resistant for malaria. We have research that we have done and I am not at liberty to disclose that but we have found out that 37% of malaria tablets on the market were fake,” Kaneene disclosed.

He called on the government to speed up efforts to sensitise masses on dangers of using fake drugs.

“There must be information going on in various media warning people about these drugs. All medical professions should do the same, let it be a joint campaign,” Prof. Kaneene emphasized.

Dei Group Pharmaceuticals leader Matthias Magoola pledged to meet local and international quality demands.

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KCCA ED, AfDB East Africa Regional Chief discuss City roads

By
Our Reporter
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KCCA ED, Dorothy Kisaka hosted a delegation of the African Development Bank (AfDB), led by the Director General for the East Africa Region, Nnenna Lily Nwabufo

The Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) Executive Director, Dorothy Kisaka hosted a delegation of the African Development Bank (AfDB), led by the Director General for the East Africa Region, Nnenna Lily Nwabufo to discuss the Kampala City Roads Rehabilitation Project that is being funded by the bank.

In 2019, KCCA secured a loan worth $288 million from AfDB to reconstruct 69km of the city’s road network. This is expected to cover at least 15 dilapidated roads in Kampala.

During the meeting, Nwabufo assured KCCA that the bank is ready to work with the city’s leadership to address all the bottlenecks hampering the project and make sure it succeds.

“It is in our own interest to walk together with you to ensure this project succeeds. We know there are challenges but we are available to offer solutions,” Nwabufo said.

She called for the speedy implementation of the project that has delayed to take off and is currently behind schedule. The delays have been attributed to the effects of Covid19 and other challenges like land acquisition.

“These projects should not be delaying, if you are able to finish this project on time it will change the city and make it more liveable,” Nwabufo noted.

She is optimistic that by next year, the project will have taken off and some progress registered.

“We have seven months to resolve the issues delaying us so th eproject can kick off. I hope to visit some of these projects when I come back here next year,” Nwabufo stated.

The KCCA Executive Director, Kisaka appreciated the Director General for finding time to visit KCCA and offering her guidance on the project.

“I would like to express my deep sense of gratitude for the support we have received from AfDB to uplift the roads in Kampala,” Kisaka said.

She explained that the money from AfDB will enable KCCA improve the road network in the city and this will reduce travel inconveniences occasioned by potholed roads.

The road improvement project has been prepared and is ready for implementation having completed designs and tender documentation.

“There is progress being made and we promise that we shall get the required results,” Kisaka said.

Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, the AfDB Uganda Country Director appreciated the cooperation between KCCA and the bank which he said has been excellent.

“It is good to follow up so that things are expedited. We haven’t achieved even 1% on this investment but we are hopeful it will take off,” Ngafuan said.

The Acting Director for Engineering and Technical Services at KCCA, Jacob Byamukama said the institution is ready to kickstart the project as soon as all the boxes are ticked.

“On some of the roads we secured land through consent but on others we have to get the right of way and this requires compensation. The good thing we have the budget to compensate and this is no longer a challenge,” Byamukama said.

KCCA has also made significant progress in as far as the recruitment of project staff is concerned.

“By end of this month we will be have recruited all the project staff and office space will be provided,” Byamukama said.

The news of this funding comes as a relief to city dwellers, who of recent are experiencing unprecedented increase in potholes and other defects that are mainly a result of old roads.

Some of the roads to be improved include; Kitezi, Salama, Sentema, Namuwongo, Luwafu, Lubega, Mutesa I, Kayemba, and Wamala roads.

Others are; Old Port Bell Road, Spring Road, Port Bell Road, Ssuna road, 7th Street, 8th Street, Mugema road, Masiro road.

Kyebando ring road, 5th Street and Kisasi road will also be worked on.

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EC kicks off nomination of candidates for Omoro County by-election

By
Our Reporter
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Mr. Paul Bukenya - EC Spokesperson

The Electoral Commission has kicked off the two-day nomination exercise of candidates for the Omoro County parliamentary by-election.

“The Electoral Commission Uganda informs all stakeholders that Nominations of Candidates for the By-election of Member of Parliament, Omoro County are scheduled for Thursday 12th and Friday 13th May, 2022 at Omoro District Headquarters,” the spokesperson of EC Paul Bukenya said.

The inspection of Candidates’ nomination Papers and Lodging of complaints will be conducted from Saturday 14th until Thursday 19th, May, 2022.

“Meanwhile the Candidates meeting with the Returning Officer to harmonise campaign programmes and formation of Liason Committees is scheduled for this Saturday 14th, May, 2022,” Bukenya added.

Campaigns will run from  May 16 to 24.

The by-election will take place on May 26, 2022 at the designated polling stations in Omoro constituency, Omoro District.

The Omoro County seat fell vacant following the death of Speaker of Parliament Jacob L’Okori Oulanyah on 20th March 2022 in Seattle, USA.

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A group of 18,000 blood donation contributes to stability of blood supply in South Korea

By
Our Reporter
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Blood shortages due to COVID-19 are prevalent across the world. In January, the American Red Cross declared “a national blood crisis” poising a great risk to patient care. In March, a US-based non-profit organization Memorial Blood Centers (MBC) declared the blood “emergency” due to a lack of the stock of type O blood at only 1-2 day supply and appealed to the public participation in a single blood donation that can save up to three lives.

According to the Red Cross, blood is used for a variety of purposes, including serious injuries caused by accidents, surgical procedures, anemia, childbirth, and cancer treatment. But since blood cannot be artificially produced, experts say the only solution to the blood supply lies in donating blood.

In South Korea, in cooperation with Heavenly Culture, World Peace and Restoration of Light (HWPL), 18,000 members of Shincheonji Church of Jesus and HWPL participated in blood donation for two weeks from April 18th. This number was recorded as the largest group blood donation in the country.

Namsun Cho, head of the Korean Red Cross Blood Services, said, “When the impact of the Omicron reached its peak, Shincheonji Church of Jesus launched a large scale of blood donation. It was like rain during a drought. We are surprised that the number of donors exceeded 6,000 in 3 days and more people participated. We appreciate their life-saving dedication.”

 “They did a really great job in the life-sharing movement. This scale is equivalent to one army corps donating blood for a year. The number of blood donors is nearly four times the number in a normal day, a great help in overcoming the current blood supply crisis,” said an official from the Blood Services.

 “We also appreciate the members of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus who participated in the nationwide plasma donation for the development of a treatment for COVID-19 back in 2020,” he added.

In South Korea, blood donation certificates are issued to blood donors. The certificate can be used when paying for a blood transfusion so that the transfusion fee to patients is deducted. All the donors of Shincheonji Church of Jesus and HWPL also donated their certificates to alleviate the financial burden of patients who need blood for treatment.

Shincheonji Church of Jesus, headquartered in Gwacheon, South Korea, is contributing to the communities through volunteer activities including plasma and blood donations, although the church suffered greatly from the initial stage of COVID-19 pandemic.

HWPL, headquartered in Seoul, South Korea, is a non-governmental organization under the UN Economic and Social Council and Department of Global Communication is carrying out long-term peace projects through education, relief, and youth empowerment based on solidarity with civil society and international organizations in 193 countries.

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Miss Tourism Uganda launches 10th edition

By
Geoffery Serugo
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Miss Tourism Uganda has launched its 10th edition which will lead into crowning of the 2022/2023 beauty queen. The campaign was launched last week at the Uganda Museum, Kampala.

Under the theme; Rethinking Tourism, Allan Kanyike the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Miss Tourism Uganda said this year’s events will focus on showcasing the achievements of Miss Tourism Uganda for the last 10 years.

He said the pageant has helped various contestants to put up some initiatives such as  the Rolex Festival which was started by Enid Mirembe the former Miss Tourism Busoga, Little Miss Uganda founded by Trisha Julian Kyomuhendo the former Miss Tourism Bunyoro and sundry.

He said for the last 10 years, they have been promoting tourism awareness in Uganda through pageantry and several other initiatives such as conservation, cultural preservation, fashion, Music and art in partnership with Uganda WildLife Education Center (UWEC), Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) and the Ministry of Tourism.

The search for beauty queens will be conducted out in different regions and later a grand finale at the Kampala Serena Hotel.

Initially, Miss Tourism started as a national team and the interest was overwhelming that in 2013, the founders acquired six clusters and the preceding year, they had grown to 12 clusters. It covers a range of activities which include; tree planting, cultural festival, road safety campaign, food tourism, engaging young girls and women in business, Fashion and music among others.

Mr. Ntambi Lyazi said through miss tourism, we have seen a lot of fashion innovations, reinterpretation of Ugandan culture, and other initiatives showcased all over the world. He urged all girls to take interest in the competition noting that it will help them to build self confidence.

“I applaud the CEO for pushing it forward. The initiative has really been good because we have not heard lousy news about the pageant,” he said.

Ms. Trisha Julian Kyomuhendo, the founder of Little Miss urged girls to fight for the space in this year’s edition. She said the pageant is not about beauty, bums but brains and gaining self confidence among girls.

 Susan Kahunde Adyeri, the reigning Miss Tourism Uganda from Toro Region applauded Miss Tourism noting that it has given her platform and urged other girls to follow suit. She is a former beauty pageant queen of Kyebambe girl’s school Fort portal and Miss Tourism Toro Region.

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