Uganda has been drawn in Group F alongside Niger, neighbours Tanzania and Algeria for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
The Cranes, who last featured in the 2019 edition, will be eager to qualify for the continental showpiece having missed out on the previous tournament in Cameroon 2021.
The draw for the group stages was held in Johannesburg, South Africa on Tuesday evening.
The 48 countries that qualified to participate in the second round of the qualifiers were seeded into four pots based on the official FIFA ranking released on 31 March, 2022.
The teams were drawn into 12 groups of four teams (Group A to L) with the top two teams from each group qualifying for the tournament to be played in the West African country, Ivory Coast.
Ivory Coast will also participate even though they have already secured the place in the tournament which means only one other team from their group will qualify for the competition.
Kenya and Zimbabwe, who were suspended by FIFA from all football activities globally, were included in the draw despite their temporary bans. However, if the suspension is not lifted two weeks before their first matchday of the qualifiers, both associations will be considered as losers and eliminated from the competition.
Consequently, their groups will be composed of three teams with the first and runner-up teams of those groups qualifying to the final tournament.
The qualifiers will start in June 2022.
The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations will be the 34th edition, to be played from 23rd June – 23rd July 2023.
The Anti-corruption commission in Sierra Leone has received a complaint that the country’s Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mr. Ambrose Michael Sovula and several top government officials bought fake PhD degrees from a University in Uganda.
The complaint by a member of the public on social media sparked wide debate about fake academic certificates after carrying out research.
The citizen added that the IGP who is said to be a PhD holder is not a PhD holder and his honorary doctorate degree conferred to him is fake as he never attended the said University.
Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Nampiima Faridah has revealed that 72 people perished in road accidents during Easter Season.
According to the traffic report, a total of 342 accidents occurred during this period and out of these 64 accidents were fatal, 167 were serious and 111 were minor. There were 309 accident victims during this period and out of these 72 people died and 237 sustained injuries.
She said a total of 108 accidents occurred on Easter Sunday and Monday and out of these 24 accidents were fatal, 57 were serious and 27 were minor. There were 104 accident victims during the two days and out of these 29 people died and 75 sustained injuries.
A total number of 9,278 traffic offenders have been arrested and issued with EPS tickets on various traffic offences at various checkpoints in the whole country from 10th to 18th April 2022 among these Reckless driving 1,868, DMCs 1,869, invalid driving license 820, speeding 343, Not wearing seat belts 751, Riding m/c without wearing a crash helmet 520, carrying more than one passenger on the motorcycle 142 among others.
She urged all individuals operating private vehicles and station wagons as public transport without license to stop it immediately.
As you are aware section 105[1] of the traffic and Road Safety Act 1998 [as amended 2020] makes it an offence to use a vehicle for the carriage of passengers or goods for hire or reward when not licensed to do so or in breach of license and on conviction a fine of not less than fifteen currency points (Shs 300,000) and not exceeding one hundred currency points (Shs 2 million) or imprisonment not exceeding year or both.
“We continue to appeal to all drivers and road users on the roads to drive with discipline on the road,” she said.
Wim Vanhelleputte, MTN Uganda's Chief Executive Officer at a past event
As part of initiatives aimed at alleviating the perils of climate change, MTN has pledged its commitment to achieve net zero emissions by 2040.
In this commitment, MTN has set science-based targets to achieve a 47 per cent average reduction in absolute emissions (tCO2e) which stands for tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent for scope 1, 2 and 3 by 2030.
Scope 1 covers direct emissions from owned or controlled sources. Scope 2 covers indirect emissions from the generation of purchased electricity, steam, heating and cooling consumed by the reporting company. Scope 3 includes all other indirect emissions that occur in a company’s value chain.
According to the UN, increased emissions that cause climate change will continue to rise temperature levels well beyond 1.5°C to levels that threaten the lives and livelihoods of people everywhere. In the 2015 Paris Agreement, countries committed to limiting the global average temperature rise to below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, and to aim for 1.5°C.
According to Reuters, already, the world has heated to around 1.1°C above pre-industrial levels. Each of the last four decades was hotter than any decade since 1850. Scientists have said crossing the 1.5°C threshold risks unleashing far more severe climate change effects on people, wildlife and ecosystems.
Therefore, the commitment by MTN underscores the telecom’s strategic pillar of achieving shared value and growth embodied in ensuring protection of the lives of the people in the communities it serves.
The net zero commitment further underpins the core of MTN‘s Environmental, Social and Governance principles hinged on the belief that the company’s growth and success should not come at the expense of the future of the planet.
Wim Vanhelleputte, MTN Uganda Chief Executive Officer said MTN is strategically aligned with the global call to action focused on deliberate transitioning to a net-zero world.
“The net zero commitment is part of our responsibility to the people of Uganda rooted on our promise to improve the livelihood of the people in the communities by creating a clean and healthy environment today, for a bright future tomorrow,” he explained.
Vanhelleputte went on to say: “Environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles are at the heart of our revised strategy, ambition 2025, in which we articulate the ESG practices in accordance with our sustainability framework envisaged to drive economic value sharing.”
To achieve the net zero commitment as stipulated in its sustainability framework, MTN aims to improve energy efficiency in its operations, reduce greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions, and improve its water and waste management.
At the group level, MTN has partnered with Ericson to leverage the latter’s latest and most advanced sustainable technologies to enable MTN realize its energy use and carbon management efforts in line with its commitment to reach Net Zero emissions by 2040.
During the launch of the collaboration recently, Nompilo Morafo, MTN Group Chief Sustainability & Corporate Affairs Officer said: “It’s about doing for tomorrow, today – realizing a Net Zero future is critical to our commitments towards sustainability, and we know that we can only realise our ambition through collaboration with our partners. With Ericsson joining our pledge, we hope to inspire our other partners, the telecommunications industry and other stakeholders to take meaningful steps towards decarbonization.”
The commitment by MTN comes as the impact of climate change becomes increasingly visible around the world.
The Parliamentary Committee on Tourism Trade and Industry has summoned the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development Matia Kasaija, Italian investor Enrica Pinetti and several other individuals over the recently signed coffee deal.
On February 10, Kasaija signed Shs 284 trillion Coffee processing deal with Pinetti, the Proprietor of Uganda Vinci Coffee Company Limited (UVCC) to process and export Uganda’s coffee in Europe and Middle East.
The controversial deal has attracted criticisms from various players in the agricultural sector. The Ministry has since been blamed for failure to consult stakeholders in the coffee sector and go on to sign on their behalf. The speaker of parliament Anita Among has since directed the Committee Chairperson Mwine Mpaka to investigate the signed coffee deal.
The committee has since summoned a permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Finance Ramathan Ggoobi, Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka, Minister for Trade Industry and Cooperatives Francis Mwebesa, Minister for Agriculture Frank Tumwebaze and the Solicitor General.
Other are; Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA), Uganda Coffee Federation (UCF), Uganda Coffee Quality Trader’s Association, Uganda Coffee Trader’s Alliance, Rwenzori Coffee Trust, Bugisu Cooperative Union, Ankole Coffee Cooperative Union, UNZO Coffee, Uganda Large Scale Farmers Association, BUCADEF, UGACOF, KAWACOM, ESCO (U) LTD, and OLAM (U) LTD.
The Minister for Agriculture Frank Tumwebaze has since denied any involvement in the signing of the coffee deal. He said his ministry was not involved and asked everyone to pose their questions to the Finance ministry.
Ggoobi said the coffee agreement will support the government in achieving its coffee production target from the current 7 million bags per year to 20 million bags by 2030.
Yesterday, Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga condemned the government’s decision to partner with the Italian investor to process and market Uganda’s coffee. He said there are many individuals who can do what the investor intends to do.
Tooro United FC relegation fate could be decided on Tuesday if they fail to beat UPDF at the Military Barracks ground in Bombo.
With only 10 points collected so far, they are at the bottom of the log with only 15 points to fight for and 14 adrift of safety places.
The army side who also beat Tooro United 4-2 at Buhinga in the first round fixture are buoyed by the win over Busoga United in their last game and will be favourites.
In Arua, the Kongolo host Busoga United at Barifa eager to win and complete a double over their day’s visitors.
They won the reverse fixture 1-0 in Njeru but have now gone four successive games without a win drawing all four.
Record league winners SC Villa host fellow strugglers Mbarara City in a highly anticipated relegation six pointer.
Neither is safe from the drop with five games to go and failure to win the Tuesday encounter will leave either with a hard task to do if they are to play in the division next season.
SC Villa lies 12th on the 16-team log with 25 points, just one above relegation zone while the Ankole Lions are second from bottom with four points adrift.
The Ankole Lions edged the reverse fixture 1-0 at Kakyeeka courtesy of an early goal from Solomon Okwalinga but Villa will be confident as they have never dropped points at home on four times they have hosted Mbarara City.
Villa have lost their last two games on the bounce while Mbarara City ended a 14-match game winless streak with a convincing 3-0 win over Police.
Tuesday April 19, 2022
SC Villa vs Mbarara City – Fufa Technical Centre, Njeru
Arua Hill vs Busoga United – Barifa stadium, Arua
UPDF vs Tooro United – Military Barracks Grounds, Bombo
The UPDF Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Gen Wilson Mbadi met his counterpart of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Chief of General Staff, Gen Munsense Celestin over the “Implementation of the Status of the Forces Agreement (SOFA)” at the Office Building of the Governor of Ituri Province in Bunia, DRC.
The two Chiefs met to review and evaluate the progress of the UPDF-FARDC Joint Operation “Shujaa” in DRC in the Eastern Province of Ituri and North Kivu province against the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) that was launched on 30 Nov 2021, with a view to make improvements during the rest of the operation.
In attendance was the Governor of Ituri Province, Gen Nkashama Jonny, the Ugandan Ambassador to DRC, Eng. Kalisa, Ugandan Commander of Operation Shujaa Maj Gen Kayanja Muhanga, UPDF Generals and senior officers of UPDF and FARDC.
The evaluation meeting came after the Status of the Forces Agreement (SOFA) between Uganda and DRC that was signed in regard to Operation Shujaa (Joint UPDF-FARDC operation in DRC) by the Ugandan Defence Minister Hon Vincent Ssempijja and his counterpart His Excellency Dr Gilbert Kabanda Kurhenga on the 30th, January 2022 at Protea Hotel-Skyz in Kampala-Uganda.
The objective of the SOFA is to govern the conduct of soldiers of both the sending and the host country and their operational activities in the host country.
The evaluation meeting which was held in an atmosphere of friendliness and frankness, noted the essence of the urgency in resolving the insecurity prevailing in the province of Ituri.
The meeting observed that since the launch of Operation Shujaa phase 1 on November 30, 2021 and phase 2 on February 8, 2022 in Eastern and North Kivu DRC, the following have been achieved but not limited to; Good behavior and military discipline has been exhibited by the two forces, Dismantling and control of all ADF strongholds (Kambi Ya Jua, Mapipa, Belu 1 and 2 and Zunguluka) by the Joint Forces., the return of the Internally Displaced persons(IDPs) to their homes in the liberated areas, the launch of the Haibale- Burasi ferry on river Semuliki, the drilling and establishment of water points in the area of operation and Medical support to the local population.
The meeting stressed that the next phase of operation Shujaa will focus on; neutralizing the enemy’s freedom of action and movement, hindering its recruitment and training drive, disconnecting the enemy’s communication and coordination network with other negative forces in the region, cutting off the enemy’s supply routes, securing more liberated areas thereby protecting civilians and enabling IDPs to return to their homes.
The next phase will also include ensuring the safety of road works on Kasindi-Beni-Butembo and Bunagana-Rutshuru-Goma roads among others.
The need to take into account the timelines given to operations in order to avoid prolonging the mission unnecessarily was equally emphasized.
Manchester United footballer Cristiano Ronaldo and partner Georgina Rodriguez have announced the death of their baby boy, saying it is the “greatest pain that any parents can feel”.
The Portugal international, 37, and Rodriguez, 28, were expecting twins.
Their baby girl survived, and they said her birth “gives us the strength to live this moment with some hope and happiness”.
“Our baby boy, you are our angel. We will always love you,” they wrote.
In a statement on social media, they said: “It is with our deepest sadness we have to announce that our baby boy has passed away.
“We are all devastated at this loss and and we kindly ask for privacy at this very difficult time.”
The pair had announced the pregnancy in October.
United tweeted: “Your pain is our pain. Sending love and strength to you and the family at this time.”
Teammate Marcus Rashford tweeted: “Thoughts are with you and Georgina brother I’m so sorry.”
Ronaldo’s former side Real Madrid said the club, its president and board of directors “are deeply saddened” adding: “Real shares in the family’s pain and wishes to send them all of our warmth.”
Manchester City, Leeds United and the Premier League have also tweeted messages of condolence.
Ronaldo has a son Cristiano Jr, who was born in 2010 and twins Eva and Mateo who were born in 2017. He also has a daughter with Rodriguez – Alana Martina, who was born in 2017.
Having survived the ravages of the Covid-19 pandemic, most of us are looking for opportunities to de-stress and re-energize ourselves.
One of the perfect ways to do so is by going on a Maasai Mara safari where you not only get to see amazing animals, but also interact with some pretty fascinating indigenous people and learn their culture.
For a family, it is an opportunity to bond with your loved ones all while learning new things.
Here are five reasons why you should consider trying a Kenya vacation to the Mara this year.
Variety of activities
Kenya is a melting pot of different kinds of holidays, each as exciting as the next.
You have the option of indulging in watersports on a beach safari, getting up close with majestic beasts on a wildlife tour, and even learning more about Kenyan culture on a heritage trip.
You could have all these and more as part of your Kenya safari holiday packages.
Speaking of wildlife safaris, one of the most iconic and world-renowned destinations is the Maasai Mara, which plays host to more than 90 species of animals.
These include the big five (leopard, lion, elephant, buffalo, and rhino). Other animals you are likely to find in the Mara include hyenas, jackals, warthogs, impalas, gazelles, zebra, wildebeest, and many more.
Lions in the Mara Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/L4-BDd01wmM
The park is also the stage for one of the most remarkable animal events on the planet- the annual wildebeest migration.
It is an event that sees more than two million wild animals migrate from Serengeti in Tanzania for Kenya’s Mara plains in search for food and water.
The Maasai Mara migration comes with plenty of wildlife drama, as large herbivores such as wildebeest and zebra make a mad rush to cross the crocodile infested Mara River.
Besides the ferocious crocodiles, the animals that form part of the Maasai Mara migration also have to contend with top predators such as the African lion, leopard, and cheetah.
Incidentally, the migration also coincides with the calving season, meaning a substantial proportion of the wildebeests are also giving birth.
It is an event where the cycle of life literally plays out before your eyes.
Some of the ways through which visitors can sample the glory of the Mara include game drives, hot air balloon safaris, walking safaris, and camping excursions.
Some of the more popular travel agents curate highly customized travel experiences comprised your preferred holiday activities and destinations.
These custom safaris feature personalized itineraries designed to suit your interests and those of your loved ones.
Unlike the situation decades ago, when the travel industry was dominated by foreigners, the industry now boasts of a substantial number of native travel consultants.
That guarantees you a more thorough introduction to the country’s destinations from natives who know the country intimately.
AjKenyasafaris is one of Kenya’s popular safari partners.
Also, there are safaris for every budget class, from budget safaris, mid-luxury safaris, to luxury safaris.
You can now plan a safari suited to your pocket. How much your Kenya vacation costs varies based on the duration of your trip, the activities involved, and the kinds of amenities you will enjoy.
A Maasai Mara package for instance may be as long as 13 days or as short as 3 days. It all depends on your preferences.
As a budget traveler, you can secure a Maasai Mara package for as little as $150 per person sharing.
Great infrastructure
Kenya has a robust and dependable infrastructure. Getting around the country has never been easier.
Besides, getting an all-inclusive trip to Kenya means all your domestic transport and accommodation logistics are included in the deal. You will not need to worry about such details once you jet into the country, just focus on having a good time.
Domestically, you have the option of choosing to travel via domestic flights to most of the iconic destinations or traveling by road. The roads are excellent and visitors get to enjoy road trips aboard luxurious safari vans and Land Cruisers.
For those who prefer self-guided safaris, there are plenty of car hire options to choose from, with formidable vehicles suited for both tarmac and bush terrain.
There is also wide electricity coverage and the telecommunications network boasts of an extensive 4G internet coverage as well.
Competitively priced Kenya safari holiday packages
Reputable travel agents are at hand to devise for you an all-inclusive trip to Kenya and will readily communicate all it entails.
That way, you are never caught by surprise or left in doubt as to what to expect.
The professionalism of the country’s travel industry is part of what makes Kenya such a preferred safari destination.
To optimize your budget, it is best to go on a guided tour and take advantage of the favorable prices that your travel agent is likely to receive from hotels and other establishments.
In most cases, the 4×4 safari land cruiser is used for game drives. However iif budget is a huge concern, you can take advantage of the pocket pocket friendly safari van, mostly Toyota Hiace or Mazda Bongo with an open roof for game viewing.
5. Cultural trip
Kenya vacations expose you to some of the most interesting cultures and people in Africa.
You get to learn about their foods, heritage, traditions and other practices. Did you know that the Maasai people continue to live in the wild to this very day? This nomadic community enjoys a peaceful co-existence with some of the most ferocious animals known to man-the African lion.
A vast number of Maasai live within the Maasai Mara Game Reserve and even inspired the naming of the park.
On a Maasai Mara safari, you get to visit one of their villages and see their way of life first-hand.
255 trainees were passed out at Masindi Military Police Training School on Saturday.
Comprising of 223 males and 32 females, the trainees underwent a 4-months basic Military Police Course level 3 under intake 14 of 2021/2022.
Training commenced on 13th December, 2021 with trainees undergoing different course contents including but not limited to; Public Order Management, VIP protection, Martial Arts and physical training, Military Police duties, Map using, amongst others.
While presiding over the pass out ceremony, the Deputy Commander Land Forces Maj Gen Sam Okiding referred the graduands to the Bible which cautions people against bad thoughts.
“Be careful how you think. Your life is shaped by your thoughts,” the verse from Proverbs read.
Maj Gen Okiding cautioned them to remain firm and be focused as they strive to go to higher heights in the forces.
Maj Gen Don Nabasa, the Commander Military Police Brigade, urged the soldiers to love their job and serve the country well saying many Ugandans would wish to have the same opportunity but all in vain.
He advised them to maintain the core values of discipline and integrity as they serve in the forces while keeping in mind to protect themselves against different diseases.
“Take care of your health. You can only achieve everything if you are healthy,” Maj Gen Nabasa said.
Meanwhile, the school Commandant Col Amon Kagina reechoed the need for the soldiers to practice the skills they have acquired in training applauding them as a vibrant intake full of soldiers who were always ready to learn.
He thanked the leadership for the support and called on them to help them overcome a few challenges they have.
He ended by wishing the Graduates the best of luck in their careers.
