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

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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

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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

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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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I have never romantically entangled with Muhoozi, says former Mpigi Woman MP Candidate Nakintu Joan

By
Simon Kabayo
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Joan Nakintu

The former Mpigi district woman MP candidate Nakintu Joan Lule has distanced herself from trending allegations that she is romantically entangled with Uganda’s First son Lt. Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba.

Ms. Nakintu who has worked well with a number of media houses as a television presenter said that she is married to Mr. Lule and denied having any love relationship with Gen Muhoozi as rumors circulate in Mpigi.

“I have never interacted with Muhoozi, nor have I been romantically entangled with him,” says Ms. Nakintu.

“Dear Madam propagandist, I request you refrain from this silly propaganda of ‘Joan Lule is a Muhoozi project’ because it’s wrecking my home,” she added.

Nakintu Joan who ran on an independent ticket for the district woman MP seat said that she is married to Mr. Lule Deo and officially married on 10th September 2011 at Rubaga Cathedral.

“Mr. Lule worked with the Civil Aviation Authority for 20 years until he transitioned to business. He hates active politics but loves supporting passively,” Ms. Nakintu said.

“He is the former Head of Land transport at Entebbe International Airport. On this note, therefore, I stand firmly to refute and dilute the serious propaganda being widely spread about me,” she explained.

Last month Gen Muhoozi met the president of Rwanda Paul Kagame, a meeting that led to the opening of the Uganda-Rwanda border which has been closed for years.

The first son scored after his efforts that led to the opening of the border, after the success he tweeted a tweet that went viral saying that the only war he wants between Uganda and Rwanda should be “who has the most beautiful women between Uganda and Rwanda”.

Gen Muhoozi is planning to stand for the presidency and recently told the media that the confusion among Ugandans opposition referring to National Unity Platform (NUP), he (Muhoozi) can defeat them through an election easily.

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Brig Felix Kulayigye assumes office as UPDF spokesperson

By
Our Reporter
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Presiding function

Brig Gen Felix Kulayigye has today officially taken over the office of the Defence Spokesperson from the deputy Lt. Col. Ronald Kakurungu who has been Acting.

The Chief of Personnel and Administration Maj. Gen. George Igumba presided over the function.

“Bringing Gen Kulayigye back is to bring flavour and vigour to the department. He is known for his enthusiasm and charisma,” Maj Gen Igumba said.

Gen Kulayigye was, on 4th February 2022, re-appointed as the UPDF Spokesperson, by the Commander-in-Chief, General Yoweri Museveni. He returns to the position he served in from 2005 to 2013.

Kulayigye also served as the Chief Political Commissar. In 2016, he was elected to serve as a Member of Parliament representing the UPDF in the 10th Parliament (2016 to 2021).

He replaces Brigadier Flavia Byekwaso, who was sent on a course at the National Defence College, in Njeru, Buikwe District.

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Amama Mbabazi appointed Chairman of newly created Africa Global Security Organisation

By
Simon Kabayo
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Mr. Mbabazi

The former Prime Minister of Uganda Rt. Hon Amama Mbabazi who doubles as Uganda’s Special Envoy to South Sudan and Ethiopia has been named to head the African Global Security foundation, a continental security think tank charged with sharing ideas and information in regard to the security situation in Africa.

The African Global Security Foundation was set  up by Congo Brazzaville, Democratic Republic of Congo, Mauritius, Senegal, Togo and Uganda but it will be open to all African states who subscribe to its objectives and willing to participate in it.

Speaking at a press conference in Kampala on Wednesday, February 16, 2022, Mbabazi said the security organisation was launched on February 13 in Senegal to offer member states insights on how to maintain peace in the face of the changing environment.

“The African global security foundation was set up by Congo Brazzaville, DRC, Mauritius, Senegal, Togo and Uganda. It will be open to all African states who subscribe to its objectives and willing to participate in it. It will be giving security briefing to member states through established organs,” Mbabazi told journalists at his home in Kololo.

 “International politics is rapidly changing. We need to see how the member states can navigate this changing environment. One of the reasons why states exist is the maintenance of peace and security. This can only be achieved when mechanisms are put in place to determine the existence of threats to peace,” he said.

Mbabazi, who is also Uganda’s Special Envoy to South Sudan and Ethiopia, dismissed claims that the organisation has been formed in response to the rising military coups in Africa.

“Was this foundation a response to the coups in West Africa? I don’t think so. This is an idea that has been discussed over a period beyond the emergence of coups in West Africa,” he explained.

“This foundation isn’t a governmental body. It isn’t a state organ. We won’t be working for anyone or any group but for the good of Africa,” he added.

The former premier could not divulge how he was elected to the position.

“Was my name proposed by President Museveni? I don’t know. What I know is that each of the Presidents of the member states, including President Museveni, have confidence in me. My Pan-Africanism is known, and I have been consistent in my support for African liberation. My pedigree on security is self-evident,” Mbabazi said.

Mbabazi’s appointment to the position comes days after he accompanied President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on successive working visits in Congo-Brazzaville (Central Africa) and Senegal (West Africa).

At the press conference, the former premier and 2016 presidential candidate said it is time for Africa to learn to solve its own problems having been severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We learned from the COVID19 pandemic that we had to rely on outsiders for things like vaccines. We want to avoid being vulnerable to that kind of behaviour,” he said.

“President Museveni and I have been together for a very long time. There are hundreds of things where I agree with him. We agree that we must do everything possible to unite our people to solve the challenges we are facing,” he added.

Mbabazi, while answering questions, also spoke against torture.

“Torture is wrong, and it is prohibited in our law. I belong to NRM, and one of the things we fought for was the freedom of everybody regardless of their opinions. Torture isn’t a civilized way of doing anything,” he said.

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