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Over 200 MPs sign motion to remove Zaake from his position as a Commissioner of Parliament

By
Simon Kabayo
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MP Zaake

Over 200 members of parliament have signed a notice of motion seeking to remove Mityana Municipality MP, Francis Zzaake from his position as a Commissioner of Parliament.

Earlier this week, MP Ojara Martin Mapenduzi (Opposition) moved a motion for the removal of Zaake as parliament commissioner. Zaake is accused of misconduct after he reportedly demeaned the person of the Deputy Speaker Anita Among and the Parliament.

By the close of business yesterday at Parliament, 217 MPs had signed in favor of impeaching Zaake from the office.

However, some opposition MPs are protesting the procedure of bringing a motion against Zaake.

Rule 110 of the Rules of Procedure states that a Member of the Commission, other than the Speaker or the Leader of Government Business, Leader of the Opposition or the Minister of finance may be removed from office by Parliament for incompetence, misconduct insanity, or inability to perform the functions of his or her office arising from infirmity of body or mind.

The MPs urge that no notice has been written to the Clerk of Parliament regarding the matter.

Nakawa West MP, Joel Ssenyonyi however, said that they are ongoing efforts to reconcile Zaake and the deputy speaker.

Nonetheless, he said, “I think the Deputy Speaker is annoyed just like Hon. Zaake was. Let’s not allow emotions to override, and we should be careful about the precedence we set.”

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Malawi declares Polio outbreak

By
Our Reporter
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Child receiving polio drops

The health authorities in Malawi have declared an outbreak of wild poliovirus type 1 after a case was detected in a young child in the capital Lilongwe. This is the first case of wild poliovirus in Africa in more than five years.

Africa was declared free of indigenous wild polio in August 2020 after eliminating all forms of wild polio from the region. Laboratory analysis shows that the strain detected in Malawi is linked to the one that has been circulating in Sindh Province in Pakistan. Polio remains endemic in Afghanistan and Pakistan. As an imported case from Pakistan, this detection does not affect the African region’s wild poliovirus-free certification status.

“As long as wild polio exists anywhere in the world all countries remain at risk of importation of the virus,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Africa. “Following the detection of wild polio in Malawi, we’re taking urgent measures to forestall its potential spread. Thanks to a high level of polio surveillance in the continent and the capacity to quickly detect the virus, we can swiftly launch a rapid response and protect children from the debilitating impact of this disease.”

WHO is supporting the Malawi health authorities to carry out a risk assessment and outbreak response, including supplemental immunization. Surveillance of the disease is also being ramped up in neighbouring countries. The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) Rapid Response Team which is based at the WHO Regional Office in Africa is deploying a team to Malawi to support coordination, surveillance, data management, communications, and operations. Partners organizations will also send teams to support emergency operations and innovative vaccination campaign solutions.

“The last case of wild polio virus in Africa was identified in northern Nigeria in 2016 and globally there were only five cases in 2021. Any case of wild polio virus is a significant event and we will mobilize all resources to support the country’s response,” said Dr Modjirom Ndoutabe, Polio Coordinator in the WHO Regional Office for Africa.

Polio is a highly infectious disease caused by a virus. It invades the nervous system and can cause total paralysis within hours. The virus is transmitted from person-to-person mainly through the faecal-oral route or, less frequently, through contaminated water or food, and multiplies in the intestine. While there is no cure for polio, the disease can be prevented through administration of a simple and effective vaccine.

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23 Ugandan referees receive Fifa badges for 2022

By
Our Reporter
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Ugandan referees receive FIFA badges for 2022

Twenty three (23) Ugandan football referees have received their FIFA Badges and Equipment for the year 2022.

The 23 approved referees received their badges at a function conducted by the FUFA President Eng. Moses Magogo on Thursday 17th February 2022 at FUFA Complex in Mengo.

In his address to the referees, the President asked them to conduct themselves in a manner that that befits and international Referee.

“When you’re a FIFA Referee you have to conduct yourself in a manner that befits an international Referee. Avoid being in situations that are going to expose you,” said Eng. Magogo.

The President also reaffirmed that he has no hand in their activities and anyone who uses his name to influence their actions is a liar.

Eng. Magogo also assured the Officials of the Federation protection whenever they are on the right but later cautioned then of intended mistakes.

”We have agreed to protect you whenever you’re right and we are proud of those moments you have taken correct decisions. We are all human beings that make mistakes but if someone makes a mistake intentionally then disciplinary measures have to be taken,” Eng Magogo cautioned the officials.

The list of Referees

Male referees: Mashood Ssali, Ali Sabilla Chelangat, William Oloya, Ronald Madanda and George Olemu

Male Assistant Referees: Dick Okello, Ronald Katenya, Lee Okello, Isa Masembe, Hakim Mulindwa, Emmanuel Okudra

Futsal Referees: Brian Emmy Nsubuga, Isaac Sengendo

Beach Soccer: Ivan Kintu Bayige, Muhammad Ssenteza, Kennedy Kawagga Bazirio and Joel Chote Munyendoh

Female Referees: Shamirah Nabadda and Diana Murungi

Female Assistant referees: Lydia Nantabo Wanyama, Marex Nakitto Nkumbi, Jane Mutonyi and Dorcus Atuhaire

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Railways Corporation accumulates debt of over Shs2.8b in unpaid remittances to NSSF

By
Our Reporter
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Railways Corporation accumulates debt of over Shs2.8b in unpaid remittances to NSSF

Members of Parliament are concerned how Uganda Railways Corporation (URC) accumulated a debt of over Shs2.8billion in unpaid remittances to National Social Security Fund (NSSF).

The MPs sitting on the Committee of Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) made the observation while meeting officials from URC led by the Managing Director, Stanley Sendegeya on Thursday, 17 February 2022.

Sendegeya told the committee that the corporation has for the two years struggled to pay staff salaries, creditors who include suppliers and this has subsequently affected their remittances to NSSF, a figure that has risen to over Shs2.8billion.

“The fact is that there is no money right now. URC has been struggling to pay staff until recently when we managed to reduce the arrears. The other burden is how to clear NSSF. We are having discussions with NSSF to be patient as we plan to remit the arrears in bits,” Sendegeya said.

He called for Government’s support to fund URC for the next two years to enable them gain financial equilibrium for sustainable growth.

Hon Charles Bakkabulindi (NRM, Workers’ Representative) blamed URC for failing to prioritise social welfare of their employees during future retirement.

“It is unfair that URC continues to deduct five per cent from their employees’ salaries and yet they are not meeting their 10 per cent obligation to form the required 15 per cent remittance to NSSF. NSSF should use the law that we recently amended to compel URC to pay the money,” Bakkabulindi said.

According to COSASE Chairperson, Hon Joel Ssenyonyi, URC employees are losing out on the annual NSSF interests accrued from their savings because of adamancy from their employer to remit their contributions to the fund.

“It is not making sense that URC with a net worth of Shs3.5 trillion is struggling; the entity cannot pay creditors, staff and NSSF. The entity is worth so much but struggling to pay so little,” Ssenyonyi said.

As amended by Parliament last November, section 13 (A) of the NSSF Act now provides a tough deterrent penalty to employers who deduct a voluntary contribution from employees and fail to remit to the fund. In accordance with the new law, an employer who offends this section will pay 20 per cent of the amount deducted but not remitted as a fine.

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Museveni to pass out NUP Wakiso District councilors

By
Our Reporter
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Museveni to pass out Wakiso District councilors

President Yoweri Museveni is scheduled to pass out over 100 Wakiso district councilors who have concluded a two week’s training at Heritage Site Entebbe. The councilors will be passed out next week.

The group includes the National Unity Platform (NUP) Party councilors who had been told not to attend. The NUP councilors defied the directives and attended the training.

According to the Minister for Presidency, Milly Babirya Babalanda, the two weeks seminar training coordinated by the Internal Security Organisation (ISO) kicked off earlier this month.

The training aimed at equipping leaders with knowledge in how the government operates and in their role in building a strong Nation.

In a letter to Wakiso District LC5 Chairman, Matia Lwanga Bwanika the minister invited all the district councilors however NUP Party warned its members who intended to attend the training.

“President Yoweri Museveni has in the past initiated programs in Kampala metropolitan aimed at transforming the lives of people; however , the efforts have had dismal impact due to lack of will to drive them,” the minister said.

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Gen Salim Saleh isn’t visiting Rwanda – Foreign Affairs

By
Our Reporter
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Gen Salim Saleh

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said information circulating on social media of a proposed visit by General Salim Saleh to Rwanda is false.

NBS TV journalist and news anchor Canary Mugume had stated on his twitter account that Gen Salim Saleh was to visit Rwanda and meet President Paul Kagame for one week to discuss diplomatic relations and other issues concerning the two nations.

A statement from the ministry today stated; “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs would like to categorically state that the information circulating on social media about the purported visit by General Salim Saleh to Kigali, Rwanda is not true.”

“Uganda and Rwanda are doing everything possible to normalize their bilateral relations but are also mindful of some members of the public whose actions could derail the warm and cordial relations being cultivated between the two countries.”

“For the record, there is no planned visit to Kigali by General Salim Saleh as purported by the NBS journalist through his twitter handle @CanaryMugume.”

The ministry called upon all responsible members of society to desist from circulating false information that is devoid of facts.

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Tanzania President Suluhu Hassan meets exiled opposition figure Tundu Lissu in Brussels

By
Simon Kabayo
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Suluhu Hassan meets exiled opposition figure Tundu Lissu

President Samia Suluhu Hassan held face-to-face talks with Opposition Leader Tundu Lissu in Brussels, Belgium on Wednesday, 16th 2022 as part of her official visit to the country. Lissu left Tanzania after losing the general election in 2020 and recently announced he will be returning next month.

A fierce critic of former Tanzania President John Magufuli and his government, Lissu fled into exile in 2017 after being shot and wounded by unidentified gunmen in the administrative capital Dodoma.

However, Hassan, who took over after Magufuli’s death in March last year, has pursued measures to improve Tanzania’s human rights record including lifting bans on media outlets imposed under his predecessor.

President Samia, for the very first time, met and held brief talks with opposition leader Tundu Lissu in Brussels, Belgium.

President Samia, for the very first time, met and held brief talks with opposition leader Tundu Lissu in Brussels, Belgium.

A statement by Hassan’s State House said the president met Lissu in Brussels at the latter’s request.

“During their talks, the two discussed various issues of interest to the welfare of the United Republic of Tanzania,” the statement issued by the Director of Presidential Communications, Zuhura Yunus reads in part.

Lissu, who is vice president of the main opposition Chadema party, was arrested eight times in the year leading up to the shooting attack in 2017 and was charged with incitement, among other alleged offences.

He spent three years in exile before returning in July 2020 to participate in that year’s presidential elections, losing to Magufuli. Lissu rejected the outcome, alleging widespread vote rigging.

He again went abroad in November 2020 after complaining of death threats and has since been in exile in Belgium.

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Uganda receives 1,000 oxygen cylinders to boost response to #Covid-19

By
Our Reporter
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The Ministry of Health has received a complete set of one thousand oxygen cylinders worth US$ 233,000 procured by the World Health Organization (WHO) with financial support from the Government of Denmark for the management of critical cases of COVID-19 in Uganda.

The package includes 1,000 medical oxygen cylinders (J-type with a capacity of 6,800L), 1000 oxygen cylinder regulators and humidifier bottles. Together, these 1000 cylinders when filled with oxygen and the associated accessories constitute equipment adequate to administer oxygen for up to 1000 COVID-19 patients requiring oxygen at any time.

Since the confirmation of the first case of COVID-19 in Uganda in March 2020, the country has experienced two major waves of the pandemic and is now responding to the new COVID-19 variant, Omicron. The second wave experienced an increase in morbidity and mortality of 2.7%, compared to the first wave (0.9%). The deaths were attributed to insufficient oxygen supply in various regional referral hospitals.

The Minister of Health, Dr Jane Ruth Aceng received the equipment saying, “the additional oxygen cylinders we are receiving are an effective response to the current health needs. They will strengthen the management of critically ill COVID-19 patients throughout the country.” Dr Jane Ruth Aceng, Uganda’s Minister of Health, said.

The Minister further recalled that COVID-19 has shown the need to strongly equip health facilities with adequate medical equipment to better respond to emergency health problems affecting the population.

She highlighted the critical support the Ugandan government has received from both WHO and the Danish Government noting, “the Danish government and WHO remain great partners for the government. WHO has been present both technically and strategically to ensure that we respond to the pandemic effectively.”

“The Government of Denmark remains committed to supporting the Government of Uganda in its fight against COVID-19 and in promoting good health in the country. We are proud to partner with the World Health Organization to extend our support to the Ugandan government.” – His Excellency, Nicolaj A. Hejberg Petersen, Danish Ambassador to Uganda.

The WHO Representative to Uganda Dr Yonas Tegegn Woldemariam said, “the 1,000 oxygen cylinders will enable the transportation and delivery of oxygen to COVID-19 patients health facilities across the country. The focus will be on areas where there is insufficient or no piped oxygen.”

He further explained that after managing critical patients of COVID-19, the equipment will then be made available to treatment centres to ensure continuity of essential health services, and for the management of other diseases that require oxygen.

COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Presently, most people infected with the virus are asymptomatic with mild to moderate symptoms, 10-15% may develop severe disease, while about 5% progress to critical respiratory illness. The elderly and those with underlying conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease or cancer are more likely to develop severe disease.

“In addition to the standard operating procedure, vaccines have proven to be an effective way to prevent the disease, slow down the transmission and avoid critical cases.” Dr. Yonas Tegegn concluded.

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You’re not poor, you just need to be economically empowered – Kabuleta tells West Nile

By
Our Reporter
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Joseph Kabuleta

The National Economic Empowerment Dialogue (NEED) leader Joseph Kizza Kabuleta has cautioned the people of West Nile against feeling self pity due to the biting poverty in the sub region.

He said the residents are not poor, but rather they just need to be economically empowered. 

Kabuleta made the revelation while meeting the local leaders and residents of West Nile on Wednesday, during his current nationwide sensitization campaign premised on protecting Uganda’s national deposits that could be used by citizens to alleviate themselves from poverty.

“The main challenge here is that you are so divided because of the different political parties you belong to that you end up forgetting to focus on issues that would benefit you. It doesn’t matter whether you belong to NRM or any other party, the issues affecting you as residents of this area are the same. The poverty you face is the same,” he asserted. 

The former presidential candidate further advised the locals to forego their political differences if they are to develop their area. 

“When it comes to development, you should find ways on how you can unite and develop your area. This area is rich, you have coffee, oil in Pakwach, and other natural resources, so you should sit down and agree on how you can benefit from the natural resources in your area. Do away with your political differences,” he added. 

Apart from the abject poverty in the area, the residents also complained that they lacked proper/standard schools and health facilities in the sub region. 

In his response, Kabuleta said the facilities are in place but the residents did not have the financial muscle to access them. 

“Those facilities are in place for those who have money but the key for your families to benefit from good education or health services is about being financially stable. So how are you striving to ensure that you benefit from the economic prosperity in your area? When you’re economically empowered, all the good life you desire will come your way.

“On the issue of poor roads, a long time ago, the local government used to construct roads here but as time passed by, they were stripped off some of their powers because most roles were handed to Central government and we know that when a service is taken by Central government, it doesn’t come back these ends. Now you people have to fight for yourselves and ensure that you benefit from your area’s wealth. You have the border advantage, oil and other minerals. You don’t have to beg to benefit from them, claim them because they belong to you,” he concluded. 

NEED, a political movement under the stewardship of Kabuleta has so far managed to spread the economic empowerment message to Buganda, Bugisu, Bukedi, Teso, Sebei, Lango, Acholi and West Nile sub-regions.

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WorldRemit, Dfcu Bank partner to ease online money transfer

By
Geoffery Serugo
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Faridah Nalubega, Manager Cards and Money Transfer, Ivan Kanyali, Uganda Country Manager at WorldRemit and Miranda Bageine Musoke, Head of Personal Banking at dfcu Bank during the launch of the partnership

WorldRemit has partnered with dfcu Bank to  ease the processes of online money transfers.

Under that partnership, WorldRemit customers can collect funds in the form of cash pickup at 56 dfcu Bank branches across Uganda, making it easy for families and loved ones to access remittances across the country. As of February 2022, customers will also be able to collect remittances in the form of bank transfers.

Ivan Kanyali, Uganda Country Manager at WorldRemit, re-emphasised the company’s ambition to streamline digital cross-border payments.

He said: “This new partnership with dfcu Bank once again confirms WorldRemit’s continued drive to expand its partnership base to make it easier and more accessible for people working globally to send money to their loved ones back home. In particular, it will be a welcomed service especially with the opening of the economy, as it will facilitate faster and simpler payments for those doing business and paying school fees.

“Our money transfer and fund access initiatives pave a smoother road for those who need to manage their finances and remittances between different countries. Launching a partnership with dfcu Bank enables Ugandans working in countries like the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and the United States to safely, conveniently, and quickly process their remittances via bank transfers”.

This unique partnership will provide an effective, secure, and practical alternative to the traditional ways of managing remittances and remitting much-needed funds back home to Uganda.

Speaking earlier today, Miranda Bageine Musoke, Head of Personal Banking at dfcu Bank, noted that while the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on both the global and Ugandan economies cannot be denied, remittance flows still provide crucial support to many families. In fact, Uganda still ranks among Sub-Saharan Africa’s top 10 recipient countries.

“The partnership between dfcu Bank and WorldRemit offers a much-needed solution, which has the potential to increase access to and use of remittances received by households for greater financial inclusion and investment opportunities.

“dfcu Bank is committed to providing services that will give our customers and the rest of the country the necessary support to revive both their personal lives and businesses,” she concluded.

The beginning of the year is a popular time for the Ugandan diaspora to send remittances back home to their families and loved ones. This money enables them to be more financially equipped for the university and academic school year starting in January. With the disruptions caused by the corona virus pandemic, remittances bring relief to Ugandans in uncertain times.

WorldRemit is pleased to add yet another banking partner to its ever-expanding network, with dfcu Bank becoming the third financial institution to partner with WorldRemit in Uganda. The dfcu Bank collaboration is another step in its continuous quest to improve international digital money transfers for the Ugandan Diaspora.

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