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Government set to commission 69 Seed Secondary Schools

By
Simon Kabayo
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The Ministry of Education and Sports has said sixty-nine seed secondary schools are ready for commissioning. These schools are among the 117 that are seed secondary schools that are to be constructed in the first phase of the Uganda Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfers Program for Results (UgIFT) that was launched in 2019.

The full package of the Uganda Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfers (UgIFT) Seed Secondary School provides for a multipurpose hall, three units of classroom blocks, an administration block, a fully equipped two-unit Science block with science kits and chemical reagents, a library, an ICT block and a three-unit teachers’ houses among others.

Under this program, the Ministry of Education and Sports takes the supervisory role while the Ministry of Local Government handles the procurement part of the construction.

According to the ministry, Ankole has seven schools, Buganda (13), Bukedi (4), Bunyoro (4), Busoga (6), Elgon (4), Karamoja (5), Kigezi (4), Lango (8), Teso (7), Tooro (4) and West Nile (3).

In a Wednesday statement, the ministry said a school being ready for commissioning means that all the infrastructure that was set to be built is now in place and complete.

“These schools are already operational, implying that they are admitting learners and the government has already availed them with capitation grants for at least 240 learners for the start and shall be increased once the CAOs inform us of the actual enrollment, each school has some teachers out of the expected target of thirty-one, the Education Service Commission has promised to conclude the recruitment process by end of February 2022,” reads the statement.

The first seed school, Keihangara Seed Secondary School in Ibanda district — was commissioned by President Yoweri Museveni in December of 2021. The school was constructed with funding from the World Bank and the government of Uganda.

The ministry said the Schedule for commissioning will be released within the coming days.

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The Uganda Scouts Association, Worldwide Fund for Nature and Coca-Cola Beverages launch campaign dubbed ‘Re-think Plastics’

By
Our Reporter
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Scouts performing at the event

The Rethink Plastics campaign was launched at Kiswa Primary School by the Uganda Scouts Association in partnership with Worldwide Fund for Nature and Coca-Cola Beverages Africa under the theme ‘Rethink Plastic, Saving our planet together, one challenge at a time’. The campaign seeks to create awareness and grassroots education of responsible use and disposal of plastic waste across the country.

According to Caroline Ajulong, Chief Commission Community Development and Projects at Uganda Scouts Association, following the COVID-19 pandemic, the environment was degraded, and scouts play a critical role in our communities.

“Scouts are closer to the community because we have a huge network. We have different methods of working; Life in nature speaks to conservation, working in groups; we have patrol groups that will support in rolling out the campaign in schools, Symbols – we believe in rewards, therefore, shall reward schools that managed to maintain their tree nursery bed, transport and grow the trees to six (6) months. Our goal is to plan at least 60M trees in five (5) years. In partnership with Coca-Cola Beverages Africa in Uganda, we shall also train young people on how to sort and recycle plastics,” she shared.

In his remarks at the event, David Duli, Country Director, Worldwide Fund for Nature said that building up to the Earth Hour 2022, it is critical to focus on the importance of all water bodies – lakes, rivers, wetlands, and ultimately, the ocean that suffers from the negative impacts of both plastic, and other types of pollution and asked government to put in more efforts on implementation of policies.

“We recognise government efforts to ban single-use plastics and call for more efforts to strengthen the enforcement of the ban in Uganda. We have confidence that in partnership with all stakeholders, this campaign will develop awareness and conviction. We encourage Ugandans and other global citizens to adopt more sustainable alternatives,” he cautioned.

To achieve this objective, we call all stakeholders to spread messages regarding the dangers of plastics. We also call upon the private sector to strengthen the process of recycling including turning plastic waste into other products that do not disrupt the environment. Provision of alternatives will also be critical for adopting the desired change.The future belongs to the young people in this assembly today. We have a role to work very closely with them to attain a No plastic in nature future. Let us reshape the future!” reiterated.

Samuel Kangave, Manager Plastic Recycling Industries (PRI) an initiative of Coca-Cola Beverages Africa in Uganda (CCBA) cautioned the public about the proper use of plastics and why it shouldn’t be left to only the private sector since it’s a general problem that requires a joint effort.

“Today’s business environment dictates that we build a circular economy, it’s something that all companies need to adopt. PRI was conceived with the aim of not only recycling plastics from the environment but also encouraging proper plastic management in the community. Among the things we are doing is one; once collected, we are manufacturing plastic pavers that are being sold back in the community and secondly turning them into pallets for further processing into plastic products,” he said.

“Through our global campaign dubbed “World without waste” that was launched in2018. We have committed to help collect and recycle a bottle or can for everyone we sell by 2030. We recognize our responsibility in solving the plastic waste crisis and are supporting different initiatives with the same agenda.  World Without Waste, our ambitious sustainable packaging initiative, aims to create systemic change through a circular economy for our packaging,” he said. 

 Representing the Speakerof Parliament Hon. Anita Among, hailed the Uganda Scouts Association for demanding the implementation of the laws for the public interest. 

“Re-shape our future, rethink plastics’ calls upon all Ugandans nationwide to change their mindset, effect changes in their daily lives to reduce the heavy burden of plastic pollution on the environment and human health. It is now evidently clear that over-reliance on plastics is a major environmental challenge, especially considering the pollution that comes with badly managed plastic waste. As part of this campaign, I want to task all corporate companies and organizations to sign a “Pledge Board” to rethink the use and management of plastics, carry out their social corporate responsibility, reduce new plastic production by producing reusable plastics, recycling the ones in circulation, and ensuring a better and healthier environment.

This campaign aims at keeping Uganda clean, green and to close the youth employment gap through green growth by planting 60 million trees in Uganda over the next 5years starting with Elgon, Albertine, Rwenzori then later the whole country. In support of the presidential industrial campaign, massive high-value fruit tree planting is the only sure way to generate sustainable industrialization”, he encouraged.

Before the event, the environmentalists took to the streets of Kampala carrying placards demonstrating against continuous use of polythene bags and single-use bottles regardless of the vice being outlawed.They demanded the immediate implementation of The NationalEnvironment Regulations, 2020 and the National Environment act 2019 that requires the private sector to be responsible for collecting the wastes they litter.

According to NEMA plastics constitute 3-5% of the waste collected in most of Uganda’s urban areas, of which about 3% are soft plastics.

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Over 45 SMEs complete Business Survival, Recovery and Continuity Training

By
Our Reporter
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Over 45 SMEs complete Business Survival, Recovery and Continuity Training

At least 46 Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) have graduated from the pandemic-response online Business Continuity and Survival Training that was organized by the Employment and Skills for Development in Africa Programme (E4D) in September 2020.

The E4D programme is commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and is co-funded in Uganda by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad) and implemented by GIZ.

This training was delivered by ACLAIM Africa Limited in partnership with Absa Bank Uganda Limited and targeted SMEs in the construction, manufacturing, tourism, and hospitality sectors. The training was designed to build the capacity of SMEs in some of the worst-affected sectors of the economy to help them manage the economic impacts caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The training was grounded on a needs-based assessment of each SME to identify business processes that required improvement. It covered eight modules, namely: Building Financial Management Systems; Financing a Business; Managing Costs Effectively; Business Planning, Modelling and Management; Acquiring and Retaining Customers; Running Business Online; Leading and Managing People; and Managing Risk in Business. Together, the modules built the capacities of SMEs to make sound strategic decisions thus ensuring business continuity through crises such as that created by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Ms Fiona Komugisha, the Project Manager at Environment and Social Safeguards International (ESSI), one of the participating SMEs, says the training and coaching was helpful, and her enterprise is applying many of the learnings.

“Having gone through cost management models, we have been able to cut down unnecessary processes and steps in our payment processes. We were also having a lot of defects in manufacturing, but now, with the application of TIMWOODs (a model that helps organizations identify key areas of waste to improve their agility and efficiency in operations), we have changed our power source to solar and have reduced on defects as a business, thereby increasing efficiency and productivity. The business has also shifted to utilization of local materials and recruitment of labour from the village within which the business is situated/located. Furthermore, we have adopted performance management systems to help us understand the business and evaluate our performance,” she adds.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony for the businesses at Mestil Hotel in Kampala, Donald Agaba, the E4D Uganda Team Leader said, “I admire your spirit of entrepreneurship and the commitment with which you have undertaken this training and seen it through to the end. The skills you have learned from here will play a great role in the growth of your businesses as we embark on the journey of economic recovery.”

While addressing the graduating businesses, Mumba Kalifungwa, Absa Bank Uganda’s Managing Director, said, “The pandemic adversely affected the economy and more so SME’s, some of which were unable to withstand the shock. SMEs, especially those in the tourism and hospitality sector, have perhaps been the most affected by the local and global interventions put in place to control the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. This training was essential to equip business owners with the knowledge to better navigate these uncertain times.”

He added that the participating SMEs that have completed the training will be considered for a discount on interest rates on credit facilities from Absa.

The Business Continuity and Survival Training and Coaching was implemented in collaboration with Uganda Tourism Association (UTA), Uganda National Association of Building and Civil Engineering Contractors (UNABCEC), Federation of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises in Uganda (FMSE) and Uganda Manufacturers’ Association (UMA).

“We remain cautiously optimistic following the decision to fully reopen the economy, which signals a ray of hope for business recovery and the economy in general.  To move Uganda and Africa forward, we are going to need collaborative efforts across the board to bridge the skills gap that is holding our SME sector back,” Mumba said.

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Dfcu Bank, Monitor Publications Limited and UIA launch the fifth edition of ‘Rising Woman’ initiative

By
Our Reporter
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Mathias Katamba, CEO of dfcu Bank

Dfcu Bank, in partnership with Monitor Publications Limited and Uganda Investment Authority, has launched the fifth edition of the ‘Rising Woman’, an initiative that aims to recognize, celebrate, and promote a culture of mentorship among women in the business space in Uganda.

Themed ‘Taking your business ahead’,this initiative focuses on providing female entrepreneurs with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to improve how they operate their businesses; to enable them to create profitable operations.Rising Womanfalls under dfcu’s Women in Business Program which aims to create a business enabling environment for women entrepreneurs, with a special focus on Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

The Guest of Honor at the launch of the 2022 Rising Woman Initiative; Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Honorable Judith Nabakooba has applauded the sponsors of the initiative, noting that women require multi-faceted support to become successful entrepreneurs.

“I want to commend the organisers for having come up with a unique program for women to not only empower women in leadership but also business.  It’s a more sustainable mode of business because it creates an increasing base of clients who can afford it and there is a trickle down effect.

It recognises the most critical sector of Uganda which is the SMEs. Women in SMEs are the engine for unlocking growth and livelihood at grassroot. Thank you for redefining how SMEs are by women in Uganda,” she applauded.

The fifth season, unlike previous editions which considered only one overall winner, will have three different winners based on three main categories of: Agribusiness Value addition, Manufacturing and Consumer services, Digital Innovation and E-commerce. To stand a chance to win the overall Shs 10 Million cash prize in each category, women entrepreneurs will be required to write a business proposal on any of the three categories. The top 10 winnerswill qualify for a one-week all-expense-paid exchange program in 2023 to an exciting destination which will be announced later.

The Rising Woman Initiative was first launched in 2018 and has had four successful editions. Over the past four years, Rising Woman has directly benefited more than 60,000 women and over 1 million more, virtually, through a range of programs that included regional power trainings, Live TV talk shows, proposal writing competitions and mentorship trips within the region.

Speaking at the launch today at Sheraton Hotel, Mathias Katamba, CEO of dfcuBank remarked that: “Majority of female enterprises are in the informal sector with no formalization, therefore, limiting their sustainability and growth locally, regionally and globally. They also face other multiple challenges such as access to finance, markets, business exposure and business skills. What we are doing will offer them all-around support services to enable them to bloom into their full potential.”

Working with our partners, we are committed to developing a supportive environment for women entrepreneurs to bolster their success. We are doing this through enterprise skills training, showcasing the work of women SMEs through marketing exhibitions and symposiums, offering tailored financial solutions, strategic networking opportunities and other bundled services,” he remarked.

SMEs contribute approximately 30% of Uganda’s gross domestic product (GDP) and employ more than 2.5 million people (UIA). Women enterprises are concentrated in trade, accommodation, and food services, and a few are involved in agriculture, fishing, transport, and storage as well as information and communication. Women tend to shun businesses that require technical skills and thus miss out on many opportunities.

“If the communities we serve thrive, then we’re also bound to thrive. We are confident that supporting SMEs, especially women-led enterprises will greatly contribute to economic development. According to the 2020 Mastercard Index of Women Entrepreneurs (MIWE), Uganda ranked first (38.2%) of total female business owners. This indicates that nearly four in every ten business owners are women.At dfcuBank, we continue to partner with other leading organizations to tap into the potential of women as contributors not only in the business world but also in the community, towards national development and the globe.  We are supporting women to navigate their multiple roles as entrepreneurs, in their families and communities,” Katamba reiterated.

The Rising Woman Initiative provides an avenue to work with diverse women to turn business ideas into reality and act as agents of change in their communities whilst addressing the ever-growing challenges they face. Through the initiative, thousands of women have benefited directly through the regional trainings in the districts of Bushenyi, Mbarara, Kampala, Mbale, Gulu, Jinja, Lira, Masaka, Kitgum, Iganga, Ibanda, Adjumani, Hoima including being a part of two mentorship programs in Nairobi.

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PEN Centre welcomes Kakwenza in Germany

By
Geoffery Serugo
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Kakwenza Rukirabashaija

The German PEN Center has welcomed Ugandan author Kakwenza Rukirabashaija to Germany. Rukirabashaija who is under the care of friends and PEN arrived yesterday and is scheduled to receive medical attention.

Kakwenza Rukirabashaija was brutally abducted from his home at the end of December 2021 by people without ID and uniform and without an arrest warrant. He was held captive for two weeks and severely tortured. According to his own impressions, this happened in a barracks of the Ugandan army in the south of the capital Kampala.

He was then transferred to Kitalya Maximum Security Prison. After court decided to release him on bail, he was abducted again and threatened not to write another book nor talk about his abduction and torture, before he could finally return home.

Prosecutors accuse Rukirabashaija of disturbing the peace of His Excellency the President of the Republic of Uganda, General Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, without the purpose of legitimate communication  through his comments on social media. The abstruse accusation is indicative of the character of the Museveni regime.

Since the re-election of the president, who has been in power since 1986, the repression of opponents and critics has increased in intensity and violence over the past year. There are also more and more serious reports of torture. The Case of Rukirabashaija has drawn inter-national attention to these conditions.

After the publication of his bestseller The Greedy Barbarian, a satirical tale about corruption in a fictional African country, Kakwenza Rukirabashaija was arrested for the first time in Uganda. Last year he was awarded the international PEN Pinter Prize in the category Bravest Writer. After his last arrest, the German PEN Center appointed him an honorary member in January 2022.

In recent weeks, the German PEN Center has worked intensively for Rukirabashaija’s release. PEN President Deniz Yücel said:  “We are very happy that our commitment to our honorary member has come to a good end. When authoritarian regimes persecute prominent critics, it is never just about the individual, but always about intimidating entire societies. That is why we see our commitment to Rukirabashaija as a contribution to freedom of speech, in Uganda and around the world.”

“The German PEN Center would like to thank PEN International and the friends involved who have contributed in recent days and weeks to freeing Rukirabashaija from the clutches of his tormentors.”

Once he has sufficiently recovered from the immediate consequences of the torture, Rukirabashaija will speak out in public. PEN will continue to support him and include him as a fellow in its Writers-in-Exile program.

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Women’s Afcon 2022: All 12 teams that have qualified

By
Our Reporter
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crested-cranes-XI

The 12 countries that will take part in this year’s Africa Women’s Cup of Nations (AWCON) in Morocco have been confirmed after completion of the qualifiers.

Uganda’s National senior Women football team, the Crested Cranes qualified for the tournament following withdrawal of Kenya Starlets at the second round of qualification.

The Crested Cranes had earlier knocked out Ethiopia in the first round.

Uganda will return to AWCON for the second time, since the maiden appearance in 2000.

Defending champions Nigeria sealed their slot after defeating Ivory Coast 1-0 in Abidjan to secure their spot at the finals.

South Africa, runners up at the last tournament in 2018, also qualified following a 1-1 draw in Algeria on Wednesday.

Morocco will host the Women’s Nations Cup from 2nd to 23rd July, with the four semi-finalists automatically qualifying for the 2023 Women’s World Cup.

The twelve teams will be drawn into three groups of four teams. The final draw date will be announced in due course.

The pots were based on the team’s performances in 2018 Africa Women Cup of Nations final tournament and 2022 tournament’s qualification.

Teams that have qualified are:

Pot 1: Morocco (host nation), Nigeria, and South Africa

Pot 2: Cameroon, Burundi, Zambia

Pot 3: Burkina Faso, Togo, Tunisia

Pot 4: Uganda, Senegal, Botswana

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Main Planning Conference for EAC Armed Forces kicks off in Kampala

By
Simon Kabayo
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Delegates from the Military, Police, Prisons, Immigration, civilian components and other stakeholders from the six East African Community (EAC) partner States; Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda are meeting at Silver Springs Hotel in Kampala for the Main Planning Conference for the 12th EAC Field Training Exercise (FTX) “Ushirikiano Imara” 2022 due 27th May to 16th June 2022 in Jinja, Uganda.

The objectives of the Main Planning Conference are to update general instructions and ideas by the host Nation, review Administration and Logistics plan, Review the Civil-Military Cooperation projects to be carried out during the exercise, survey exercise locations and draw the Exercise timelines among many others.

While opening the conference, the UPDF Chief of Personnel and Administration, Maj Gen George Igumba, representing the UPDF Joint Chief of Staff, reiterated Uganda’s commitment towards the successful hosting of the exercise.

“On behalf of Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces and the Republic of Uganda as a host Nation, I do assure you of maximum support to this cause to ensure the success of the exercise in Jinja later this year,” said Maj Gen Igumba.

“The exercise will go a long way in enabling us to build synergies that will govern and strengthen the strategic vision of our leaders for the good of the people of East Africa,” Maj Gen Igumba added.

Colonel Raphael Kiptoo who represented the EAC Secretary General said the general objective of EAC exercises is to enhance the state of readiness and interoperability of EAC partner State Armed Forces, Police, Civilian components and other stakeholders in responding to complex security challenges.

“Such exercises enhance the already high level of interconnectedness and interoperability of our Armed Forces which has been achieved in operations. The East African Community will continue counting on your support in the EAC integration process,” said Col Kiptoo.

The Chairperson of the conference Brig Gen Jerry Korir called upon members to put maximum effort, energy, commitment and perseverance so that by the end of the conference, they are able to produce the required documents for the Final Planning Conference.

The Field Training Exercises are conducted rotational in nature among the partner states every two years.  And the exercises are conducted in accordance with the East African Community Protocol on cooperation in Defence Affairs and pursuant to the Defence Sector calendar of activities.

The exercises have been conducted since 2005 under the themes of Peace Support Operations, Counter Terrorism, Counter Piracy and Disaster Management. Each of the member states presented their Special Ideas on each of these thematic areas.

The three-day Conference is also being attended by Defence Liaison Officers of the EAC States, Defence Attachés accredited to Uganda, General and Senior Officers, representatives from the Police, Prisons, Immigration and Civilian components.

Planning for the Field Training Exercises started with the Concept Development Conference which was held in Kampala from 28th to 30th January 2020, then the Initial Planning Conference which was held in Jinja from 19th to 21st October 2021 and now the Main Planning Conference currently under way.

The Final Planning Conference will be held between 22nd and 25th March 2022 in Jinja before the actual Field Training Exercise from 27th May to 16th June 2022 in the districts of Jinja, Mayuge and Buikwe. The exercise will attract over 1,500 participants from the Military, Police, and civilian components from all the six EAC partner states.

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Zaake petitions Rules Committee, says he will appear on Monday next week

By
Geoffery Serugo
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MP Zaake

Opposition Commissioner of Parliament Francis Zaake has petitioned the Rules Committee Chairperson Abdu Katuntu asking his interface with the committee be held on Monday next week.

The legislator was expected to appear before the committee to defend himself over the allegations that he insulted the Deputy Speaker of Parliament Anita Among. The MP asked the Committee chairman to reschedule the meeting because he was on official duties.

The MP is accused of insulting the integrity of Parliament after he last week took to social media and used offensive language to express his dissatisfaction with the Deputy Speaker’s statement regarding his alleged torture.

Raising the matter, Martin Mapenduzi said that he intended to move a motion to have Zaake is relieved of his duties as a commissioner for denigrating the integrity of Parliament and Office of the Speaker in breach of Rules 84 and 85 of the Rules of Procedure and Paragraph 5 of the Code of Conduct of Members.

“All of us may have our own emotions and issues to deal with but there are avenues in our Rules of Procedure through which anything done by the presiding officer can be challenged. The member never exercised any of the remedies provided in the rules but chose to go to social media,” Mapenduzi said.

The matter was supported by the Soroti West Division MP; Jonathan Ebwalu who said Zaake’s use of unparliamentary language on social media against the person of the Deputy Speaker was in bad faith and demeaned the office of the Speaker and institution of parliament.

“The intention was to damage; lower the character and status of the Speaker and the reputation of this Parliament. It is our obligation to defend Parliament from any attack. We need to enact laws to check cyber bullying, cyber harassment, blackmail and intimidation,” he said. 

Esther Afoyochan, one of the Backbench commissioners disassociated her from the social media utterances attributed to Zaake saying that the House should deal with the matter in accordance with the House’s prescribed guidelines.

Deputy Speaker, Anita Among referred the matter to the Committee on Rules, Privileges and Discipline for further investigations.

And, yesterday, the four complaint MPs appeared before Parliament’s Rules Committee chaired by legislator Abdu Katuntu to present a formal complaint against Zaake. The group accuses Zaake of insulting the integrity of Parliament after he last week took to social media and used offensive language to express his dissatisfaction with the Deputy Speaker’s statement regarding his alleged torture.

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Kakwenza arrives in Germany

By
Simon Kabayo
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Kakwenza Rukirabashaija

Government critic and Novelist Kakwenza Rukirabashaija is finally in Europe, former Presidential Candidate, Dr. Kizza Besigye revealed.

“Thank God, tortured Mr. Kakwenza Rukirabashaija has arrived safely in Europe. He can now have proper medical evaluation and treatment. And, certainly, his mouth and pen are now free! Thanks to all who’ve been helpful to get him there. The struggle continues,” Besigye said on social media.

Kakwenza arrived in Germany today where he was earlier invited by the PEN Centre.

“The German PEN Center is happy to welcome the persecuted Ugandan author Kakwenza Rukirabashaija to Germany! Today Rukirabashaija arrived safely here, he is under the care of friends and PEN,” PEN Germany confirmed on their social media.

Last year he was awarded the international PEN Pinter Prize in the category “Bravest Writer”. After his last arrest, the German PEN Center appointed him an honorary member in January 2022.

Earlier this month, Kakwenza fled into exile after Buganda Road Magistrate Dr. Douglas Singinza declined release his passport on grounds that he can get specialised treatment within the country. Kakwenza who was out on bail had petitioned court seeking for released of his passport to seek treatment in Europe after he being tortured by unrevealed security agencies.

Kakwenza was arrested at Kisaasi after a three days twitter feud with supporters of UPDF Land forces commander Muhoozi Kainerugaba. Kakwenza averred that Muhoozi’s supporters were allegedly bullying him for criticizing President Yoweri Museveni.

Kakwenza is facing two counts of offensive communication, contrary to Section 25 of the computer misuse act 2011.

Prosecution avers that Kakwenza on 24th December 2021 in the Kampala District, willfully and repeatedly used his Twitter handle to commit cases of offensive communication against the President of Uganda Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and the first son Lt Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, with no purpose of legitimate communication.

Rukirabashaija is the author of the novel The Greedy Barbarian, which takes on themes of high-level corruption in a fictional country. He was arrested on 13 April 2020 in Uganda, and held for seven days, during which time he was interrogated about his fiction and subjected to torture and later released. Rukirabashaija details this treatment in his latest work banana republic: Where Writing is Treasonous.

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MPs question Russian firm’s car tracking contract

By
Our Reporter
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Muhwezi and the russians

Parliament’s Committee on Defence and Internal Affairs has raised concern on the compulsory installation of electronic tracking devices on motorcycles and motor vehicles, known as the Intelligent Transport Monitoring System (ITMS).

According to committee chairperson, Hon Rosemary Nyakikongoro, citizens ought to comprehend the modus operandi of the contract between the Government and Russian firm, Joint Stock Company Global Security.

In a meeting on Tuesday, 22 February 2022, Nyakikongoro said the Minister for Works and Transport, Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala, wrote to the committee saying the contract was signed between the directors of the firm and the Ministry of Security.

“But according to information we have, the two Permanent Secretaries for the ministries of Security and that of Works and Transport signed the contract. This means that the Ministry of Transport as an implementing agency was supposed to come here and respond to certain issues that the public is interested in,” said Nyakikongoro.

She cited among others, government owning the number plates where tracking chips will be placed and how privacy of individuals will be managed, as well as who will collect the revenue.

“The data collected on the individuals owning motorcycles and motor vehicles is a private matter. How do you hand over this data to a private company that will be managing all this?” she asked.

The committee chairperson also noted that MPs are interested in knowing whether the vehicle tracking system will strengthen the CCTV system that is managed by the Uganda Police Force, and where the central system to man the data will be established.

“And at the end of the day, if the company closes, who will manage the whole system? Are we looking at training people under the Ministry of Works or Internal Affairs or the Police? Will it be the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence, the UPDF, internal security or external security agencies?” Nyakikongoro asked.

She also spotted concerns by Committee MPs on which Ministry or sector would handle the project after Joint Stock Company Global Security hands it over to government after the 10 years.

“We are interested in knowing that if the company will pay itself by collecting fees, what type of fees will these be? If they are traffic fees, are you changing the law? We need to know if they have put correct figures for how much a motorcycle will pay for the chip and how much a lorry or trailer or other vehicles will pay,” said the Nyakikongoro.

The query into the installation of the electronic tracking devices on motorcycles and vehicles was called for by Mukono North MP, Hon Abdallah Kiwanuka, who along with some Opposition MPs, termed the move as illegal.

Kiwanuka, presenting during a plenary session on 23 September 2021, criticised plans to have car owners pay for the arrangement saying it is unfair.

He cited concerns related to the nature of the contract between government and the Russian firm, an enabling legal framework, installation costs of the tracking devices, intrusion of privacy and data storage of collected information.

The Leader of the Opposition, Hon Mathias Mpuuga, during the same sitting, sought to move a motion without notice under the Rules of Procedure to require the security minister, Maj. Gen. Jim Muhwezi, to appear before Parliament to report on the extent to which the project has been implemented so far.

Speaker Jacob Oulanyah then guided that the minister should present a comprehensive statement on the matter.

On 29 September 2021, the minister presented a statement to the House saying the President on 18 November 2019, directed the Prime Minister to inter alia implement the ITMS as a classified procurement under the Security Ministry.

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