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Court adjourns hearing of murder and terrorism case against MPs Ssegirinya and Ssewanyana

By
Geoffery Serugo
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MPs Ssegirinya and Ssewanyana

The matter in which Kawempe North MP Muhammad Ssegirinya and Makindye West’s Allan Ssewanyana are accused of masterminding the killing of one Joseph Bwanika has been adjourned until January 19th, 2022.

The Grade One magistrate Christine Nantege adjourned the matter after the Resident State Attorney Richard Birivumbuka told court that the matter is still under investigation.

The MPs and four others suspects who include; Mike Sserwadda, Wamala Bulo, Mugerwa John and Kanyike Jackson were arrested over Masaka gruesome killings. At least 26 people had been killed by Panga wielding assailants in the Masaka greater region. The assailants target people above the age of 50 and leaving alone or with children.

The group is accused of terrorism contrary to section 7 (1) and (2) (d) and (d) of the Anti-Terrorism Act 2002 in count one, aiding and abetting terrorism contrary to section 8 of the Anti-Terrorism Act 2002 in count two, murder contrary to sections 188 and 189 of the Penal code Act in Counts three, four, five and attempted murder contrary to section 204 (a) of the Penal code Act.

In September Masaka High Court Judge Nakintu Victoria released Ssegirinya and his counterpart Ssewanyana on Shs 20 million cash bail each and bonded each of their sureties with Shs 100 million non-cash.

The two were re-arrested moments after being released from Kigo government Prison. Appearing before Masaka Chief Magistrate Charles Yeitesi, they were slapped with new charges of murder allegedly committed at Kissekka village in Lwengo district.

Prosecution avers that that Ssewanyana, Ssegirinya and others still at large 2nd August 2021 at Kisekka B Village, Kankamba Parish, Kisekka Sub- County in Lwengo district with malice aforethought killed Bwanika Joseph.

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Gov’t warns of buying #Covid-19 Certificates

By
Geoffery Serugo
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Works and Transport Minister, Gen. Katumba Wamala.

The Minister of Works and Transport Gen Katumba Wamala has warned Ugandans against buying fake Covid-19 certificates.

The Minister urged Ugandans to desist from buying Covid-19 certificates noting that they are cheap but they cost life. “It would also be good for the passengers to be vaccinated. Do not go to Nasser Road to buy a certificate. You may buy it cheaply but it will cost you your life,” he said.

The Minister’s warning came barely a week after the president Yoweri Museveni fully reopened schools for learners in secondary and primary levels.

During the address, the president said schools will fully reopen starting from 10 January 2022 and urged stakeholders to observe Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) peddle at curbing the spread of Covid-19 pandemic and going for vaccination.

Gen Katumba also warned transporters against hiking transport fares as students moot to return to schools.

Since the president ordered that the buses and taxis return to their normal services of carrying passengers to full capacity, the operators have since maintained double transport fares. Speaking earlier today, the minister said although fuel prices are so high, the travelers should not be over charged.

“We have met the taxi and bus operators. We have agreed on the transport fares that they will communicate on the respective routes. Although the President allowed public transport to work fully, I would like to emphasize the SOPs. The people working on the buses must be fully vaccinated and able to present the vaccination cards anytime,” he said.

“There will be no curfew when children are going back to school to enable the children and parents to travel. All luggage on public transport must be checked. Don’t say these are children. You never know what could be there,” he added.

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Players to watch at the Africa Cup of Nations

By
Our Reporter
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Mohammed Salah

There will be many stars in Cameroon for the Africa Cup of Nations 2022 that kicks off this month.

The 36-match group phase kicks off on January 9 at the newly built Olembe Stadium in Yaounde and the tournament concludes at the same 60,000-seat venue on February 6 with the final.

Here, we look at some of the big names to watch out for and to keep an eye on when the tournament kicks off;

Mohamed Salah – Egypt

Mohamed Salah has been in superb form with his club Liverpool currently the top scorer with 16 goals and 9 assists. He finished in seventh place in the Ballon d’Or 2021. His goal will be to bring Egypt an eighth continental title.

Sadio Mané – Senegal

A key member of Klopp’s famed attack at Liverpool, Mané is one of the best wingers in the world. Captain of Senegal, he is the main offensive asset for the Lions of Teranga. After losing out to Algeria in the final last time out, he finally wants to lead his teammates to glory.

Islam Slimani – Algeria

Slimani is always involved for holders Algeria, even if he is now mainly a substitute for club Olympique Lyonnais. He is the top scorer in Algeria’s history with 38 goals.

Franck Kessié – Ivory Coast

Franck Kessié is the boss of the Ivory Coast midfield. He is also an important player at AC Milan, his club since 2017. His calmness, his vision and his leadership will be assets for the Ivorians.

Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting – Cameroon

Choupo-Moting has become a leader of the Cameroon team, having not made himself available at times in the past. Despite being a reserve striker at Bayern Munich, he remains important in the Cameroonian wheel. At 32 years old, he will be one of the most experienced players in the squad.

Sébastien Haller – Ivory Coast

Brilliant for Ajax this season, especially in the Champions League, Haller will be the leader of the Ivory Coast attack. The former Eintracht Frankfurt player only made his debut for the Elephants in 2020.

Edouard Mendy – Senegal

Senegal’s Edouard Mendy has established himself as the uncontested no. 1 at Chelsea since his arrival from Rennes in 2020. He won the Champions League with the Blues in 2021. He is now widely known as one of the best goalkeepers in the world.

Riyad Mahrez – Algeria

Captain of defending champions Algeria, Riyad Mahrez will hope to be at the top of his game during this AFCON. He has produced some less than convincing performances in the last few months for his country, but Algeria fans expect him to replicate his Manchester City form on the big stage.

Amadou Haidara – Mali

Amadou Haidara has become a key midfield presence for German club RB Leipzig. He fulfils a similar role for the Eagles of Mali, who are among the outsiders at this year’s Africa Cup of Nations.

Saïd Benrahma – Algeria

The West Ham winger is coming in after taking the Premier League by storm and this tournament is where he can shine. If Algeria wants to become back to back AFCON champions and add to their recent FIFA Arab Cup title, the West Ham winger in addition to their other talented players will be key.

Achraf Hakimi – Morocco

Hakimi has been one of the best young talents in Africa for years now, as evidenced by his 41 international caps by age 23. Earning a big-money move from Inter Milan to PSG this past summer, Hakimi has hit the ground running in Paris, where he has contributed three goals and three assists from his right back position.

Kalidou Koulibaly – Senegal

The Napoli star made headlines two years ago as a possible high-value transfer target, and he still remains one of the top defenders in Europe. It’s no coincidence that Napoli lost just one league match until his injury, at which point the club lost three of four during his absence.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – Gabon

Frozen out of the Arsenal squad and rumored to be pushing his way out, this month Aubameyang will be extra hungry to feature at the AFCON event and remind the world.

Thomas Partey – Ghana

Thomas Partey has quietly transitioned into one of the most valuable players in the Premier League, and his loss will be felt at Arsenal. Partey is a true box-to-box talent who can lead Ghana deep into the knockout stage.

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Museveni signs NSSF Bill allowing members to access 20% of their savings

By
Geoffery Serugo
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President Museveni

President Yoweri Museveni has assented into law a provision in the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) Amendment Bill 2021, allowing members aged 45 and above who have saved for at least 10 years to access 20% of their savings.

According to the law, the commencement date will be set in the statutory instrument; supervision of the fund is by the Ministry of Finance, while the NSSF Managing Director (MD) is a member of the Board of directors.

In 2019, the government tabled the NSSF Amendment Bill seeking to expand social security coverage, enhance the spectrum of benefits available to workers and improve governance of the Fund. The Bill was passed by parliament in February 2021.

In August, President Yoweri Museveni agreed to the workers’ mid-term access to their savings in the National Social Security fund and directed the Minister for Gender, Labour and Social Development Betty Amongi to make changes to the bill and return it for consent.

Every month, institutions deduct 5 percent of employees’ salaries as contribution to NSSF, the employers tops it up with 10 per cent while NSSF earns them 12 per cent. The fund collects Shs 125 billion a month, Shs 1.5 trillion per year and pays up to Shs 900 billion for members qualifying in other benefits.

The law provides for mandatory contributions of all workers regardless of the size of the enterprise or number of employees; and to provide for voluntary contributions to the Fund; proposes a tax on members’ retirement benefits.

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Court orders for unconditional release of novelist Kakwenza Rukirabashaija

By
Geoffery Serugo
-
Kakwenza Rukirabashaija

Makindye Grade One Magistrates Court has ordered for the immediate release of Ugandan novelist Kakwenza Rukirabashaija.

Mr Charles Twiine, the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) Spokesperson said the Kakwenza Rukirabashaija will be arraigned before Court for allegedly insulting President Kaguta Museveni and the first son Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba.

By press time, the detainee had not been produced in any court and this prompted his lawyers led by Kiiza Eron, Luyimbazi Nalukoola and Wanda Samuel to petition court calling for immediate release of their client.

Appearing before Court, Magistrate Irene Nambatya, ordered for unconditional release of Kakwenza from police custody. “Every police officer should comply with the above orders,” she ruled.

Kakwenza was arrested at Kisasi 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 Museveni’s government.

“Good morning Muhoozi bum-lickers. Dare attempt to bully me again and I show you fire. I have more verbal artillery in my toolkit to bludgeon your empty heads and dirty mouths that spews hocus-pocus and balderdash. You’re all bankrolled chamchas! Nonsense just,” Kakwenza said on twitter.

“Imagine you steal money from the national purse and use it to bankroll idle idiots on social media to market your presidential ambitions when you are intellectually bankrupt. These Muhoozi project fools think that we shall replace a thief with an incompetent pig-headed curmudgeon,” Kakwenza said in one of the tweets.

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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EXCLUSIVE: Mutebile admitted to Aga Khan Hospital

By
Our Reporter
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Late Emmanuel Tumusiime-Mutebile

The Governor of Bank of Uganda (BoU) Prof Emmanuel Tumusiime-Mutebile has been admitted to Aga Khan Hospital, Eagle Online has learnt.

According to information from sources, the frail economist was admitted on Sunday after he collapsed on 31 December 2021. The source said Mutebile has been on and off duty due to diabetes related complications.

“The big man was put on dialyses. He was forced to ditch his favorite Whiskey because his kidneys had weakened and they couldn’t do their excretion job,” the source said.

The source said in September last year, Mutebile was admitted at Nakasero hospital for a full week. He was later discharged and continued to be monitored from his Kololo based home.

The 72 year old, whose contract was renewed on January 12th, 2021 for five years, has been at the helm of the central bank since 2001. He is the longest serving Chief Executive in the Bank of Uganda’s history. He is credited with many of the sound economic policies adopted by the Uganda government at the urging of the central bank during the 1990s and the first decade of the 2000s.

Amidst Covid-19 pandemic Mutebile and his team have kept Uganda’s economy generally stable. Inflation has been contained within BOU target of 5% and the Shilling has remained stable against major currencies.

In tandem, the Governor has superintended over dubious activities which tainted the image of the Bank. It should be recalled that in February 2018 Mutebile made staff changes where he replaced former Executive Director of Supervision Justine Bagyenda with Dr. Tumubweine Twinemanzi.

President Yoweri Museveni later appointed a committee to investigate staff changes. Later it was established that Mutebile made some transfers and appointed Twinemanzi without consulting other members of the BoU board, a decision they said was wrong as the Governor had no powers to make changes single handedly.

Worse still, most of the staff head picked by the governor did not meet the qualifications and experience required for the jobs. For instance, Dr. Tumubweine didn’t have any experience in commercial banking.

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LETSHEGO launches LetsGO digital academy to build future-fit communities

By
Our Reporter
-
Andrew Okai, LETSHEGO Group Chief Executive.

Letshego is making considerable strides in its digital transformation strategy, having digitised its access channels with the launch and improvement of channels such as WhatsApp, USSD and web launching the LetsGO Digital Mall in 10 regional markets, ahead of timelines thanks to Agile Enterprise methodologies. 

“Letshego’s vision is clear, we wish to be a digitally-led organisation that remains adaptive to the ever changing environment, ensuring we remain future-fit so we can continue delivering on our promise to improve lives,” commented Andrew Okai, Group Chief Executive.

The Group’s digitisation strategy is structured to achieve broad transformation across multiple functions and includes the empowerment and upliftment of digital skills within its own staff compliment. 

“We are not only here to improve the lives of our customers, but also those of our own people by upskilling and empowering our employees with world-class digital skills ensuring the long-term sustainability and growth of our business well into the future,” added Andrew Okai, Group Chief Executive.

Letshego’s empowerment of digital skills doesn’t end there. Speaking in a private interview, Enos Banda, Letshego’s Group Chairman, announced another new avenue of digital empowerment for the benefit of Letshego’s regional communities, the LETSGO DIGITAL ACADEMY, with Botswana being the first market to benefit from this digital skills initiative, launching in the first quarter of 2022.

“The launch of our LetsGO Digital Academy is intended to build and empower more Africans with world-class digital skills and experience, but also resonates directly with the ethos of Letshego’s LetsGONation.  We are building a nation for Africans, by Africans,” commented Banda.

Enos Banda reiterated that education and skills are two key levers that brighten the minds and potential of our future talent and will ensure and secure Africa’s future as an innovative, entrepreneurial hub for a multitude of sectors, including fintechs, manufacturing, digital innovation, health, agriculture and entrepreneurship.

The LetsGO Digital Academy will initially enjoy a limited intake of 10 interns as the Group fine tunes the curriculum and internship opportunities that the Academy provides.  Qualifying applicants need to demonstrate foundational digital expertise, and a passion to expand their aptitude into digital financial skills and hands-on regional experience within the swiftly evolving financial sector.  In partnership with Letshego’s well-regarded educational institutions and strategic commercial partners applicants will go through a thorough selection process before securing a place in the Academy. 

“Letshego remains committed to achieving a demonstrable social impact by empowering individuals to use their capital and financial solutions for productive purposes. The LetsGO Academy resonates this same purpose – to empower members of our community to broaden their development horizons, so they too can play a more active role and contribution within their respective regional communities and economies,” added Banda.

The LetsGO Digital Academy may provide talent for Letshego’s longer term recruitment ambitions, but Letshego reiterates is not the Academy’s primary purpose.  The Academy is simply another way Letshego can leverage its footprint, reach, offering and expertise to empower individuals for our collective development.

Concluding on the motivation for establishing such an Academy, Banda summarised “The COVID-19 pandemic has sent extraordinary shock waves, challenges and tragic loss of lives across global economies.  From an economic perspective, it has forced us to shift into a different mindset to manage the increasingly unpredictable environments we now live in.  Resilience, Adaptability and a solid grounding in digital literacy is now no longer a unique asset for individuals, but an essential attribute for us to live and thrive in future economies. Letshego is committed to sharing its expertise and opportunities for regional knowledge to expand the horizons of Africans across our footprint.”

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Investors petition Museveni over banks, lawyers underhand dealings

By
Our Reporter
-
President Yoweri Museveni

Investors have petitioned President Museveni over what they call a well-calculated syndicate orchestrated by commercial banks and top lawyers in town to cheat and box them out of the economy.

According to the petition, the investors also appealed for Museveni’s intervention in what they call unnecessary high commercial bank interests on loans.

The investors argue that although banks are quick to roll out sanctions on loan defaulting, they are slow to pay investors who demand them.

“The banks employ double standards and unethical behavior by employing expensive lawyers to hide them from their obligations to us yet when it comes to foreclosing our assets due to loans advanced, they are quick to act,” the petition notes.

The investors accuse banks of failure to protect their customers and instead rely on lawyers to cheat them.

Some of the examples investors cite in their petition is the protracted battle between Standard Chartered Bank and Liberty LCD Group over Shs1.16 billion which has reached President Museveni’s table.

The investors argue that Liberty LCD accuses Standard Chartered Bank of allegations related to failure to pay Shs1.16b in ground rent.

The petition further notes that last year Standard Chartered Bank dumped over 600 containers on Liberty LCD’s three acre piece of land at Namanve following an undertaking that they will pay ground rent for the containers, but the bank has declined to pay the rent amounting to Shs1.16 billion.

“The bank used Liberty’s land to keep containers belonging to Threeways Shipping Services and evicted the company from a nearby plot. The bank, through their lawyers Ligormac wanted to sell the land to Mandela Group of Companies, and removed the containers and relocated them to Liberty LCD’s plot. The bank since April has not paid ground rent to Liberty LCD,” the investors noted in their petition.

In August last year, the investors said several other customers have placed demand on commercial banks to replenish their money which they said was mysteriously missing from their accounts.

The investors want Museveni to intervene so that Standard Chartered Bank pays Liberty LCD the Shs1.16b accruing from storage services the company has offered for close to a year.

The Uganda Bankers Association chairman, Mathias Katamba said investors should interface with the commercial banks for a win-win solution.

Katamba also added that he has never come across cases where banks connive with lawyers to cheat customers and pledged to investigate the matter concerning Liberty LCD and Standard Chartered Bank and lawyers.

A lawyer from Ligomarc, Rita Birungi, who represented Standard Chartered Bank in the Liberty LCD transaction that investors have reported to Museveni, told the New Vision newspaper over the weekend that due to confidentiality issues, she would not discuss client information.

Birungi however stated that some of the issues that investors tabled before Museveni regarding Liberty LCD’s transaction with Standard Chartered Bank are not true.

“Some of the information is not true but I cannot discuss it,” Birungi said.

Insolvency lawyer Kabito Karamagi and managing partner of Ligomarc, the law firm at the centre of the Standard chartered Bank-Liberty LCD Shs1.16b transaction, also declined to comment on the matter.

Over the weekend the corporate desk at Standard Chartered also declined to comment on the matter.

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Teacher arrested for raping, infecting student with HIV

By
Our Reporter
-
Handcuffs

Police in Old Kampala is actively investigating circumstances under which an HIV positive teacher, sexually assaulted, a 16-year-old, male juvenile, at the staff quarters of Namungoona Kigobe Primary School on the 27th December 2021.

The suspect identified as Nanya Elizabeth, a 42-year-old, female teacher, lured the male victim to her room at the staff quarters.

Accroding to the Police Spokesperson Fred Enanga, while in the room, Elizabeth caused the victim to remove his clothes and indulged into an unlawful act of sexual intercourse. The suspect had unprotected sex with the victim, with the full knowledge of her HIV status. The victim was examined and immediately put on Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP). The suspect was arrested and detained in custody.

“In another development, we have also charged a 20-year-old peasant with the Aggravated Defilement of a 3-year-old girl victim at Panya village, Yiki Parish, Madi Okollo district. The suspect identified as, Oleama Jackson, a 20-year-old peasant of Olali village, was given responsibility by Araka Rabeka, the mother of the victim, for him to look after, as she went to the market to buy food,” Enanga said.

Unfortunately, the suspect took advantage of the girl victim and defiled her. He was found red-handed in the act by the elder brother who informed their mother and the matter reported to police. As a result, the suspect was arrested and detained in custody.

The incidents show how both, male and female juveniles remain vulnerable and targeted by sexual predators. Many child predators are not strangers to victims. They are usually relatives to the victim or acquaintances such as neighbors, siblings, family friends, teachers, who appear to be warm, caring, loving and respectful.

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Micho summons 44 Cranes players for International build-ups in Europe, Asia

By
Our Reporter
-
Micho during training

Uganda Cranes head coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic has summoned a team of 44 players in preparation for the upcoming international build up matches in Europe and Asia.

Uganda will play five international build up matches against Iceland, Botosani and Moldova in Turkey.

Two other build ups will be held in Asia; against Iraq in Baghdad and Bahrain in Bahrain city.

The team has two foreign based players, both goalkeepers Charles Lukwago (based in Ethiopia) and Ismail Watenga (South Africa).

According to the programme, the players will converge on 9th January 2022 and hold a training session in the evening.

The travel date for Turkey is 10th January 2022 ahead of the first match against Iceland on 12th January 2022 in Turkey.

The second match will be played on 15th January 2022 against Botosani and the third match shall come on 18th January 2022 against Moldova. All matches in Europe will be played in Antalya.

Uganda Cranes shall then face Iraq on 21st January 2022 in Baghdad city, and finally Bahrain on 27th January 2022 in – Bahrain city.

The team returns home on the 28th January 2022.

The matches in Europe are organized by Global Sport Management.

The Full Summoned Squad:

Goalkeepers: Charles Lukwago (Saint George, Ethiopia), Isima Watenga (Chippa United, South Africa), Joel Mutakubwa (Express), Benjamin Ochan (KCCA), Nafian Alionzi (URA), Jack Komakech (Vipers)

Defenders: Gavin Kizito Mugwer (SC Villa), Innocent Wafula (KCCA), James Begisa (UPDF), Geriga Atendele (Arua Hills), Abdu Aziizi Kayondo (Vipers SC), Eric Senjobe (Police), Herbert Achai (KCCA), Juma Ibrahim (KCCA), Halid Lwaliwa (Vipers), Denis Iguma (KCCA), Livingstone Mulondo (KCCA), John Revita (KCCA), Enock Walusimbi (Express), Fesali Najib (URA), Kenneth Semakula (Sc Villa), Joseph Bright Vuni (Arua Hill), Benjamin Nyakojjo (URA)

Midfielders: Bobosi Byaruhanga (Vipers), George Kasonko (BUL), Mahad Kakooza (Express), Ashraf Mugume (KCCA), Shafik Kagimu (URA), Bright Anukani (Vipers), Saidi Kyeyune (URA), Martin Kizza (Express).

Forwards: Kaddu Patrick (Unattached), Milton Karisa (Vipers), Ibrahim Orit (Vipers), Sadat Anaku (KCCA), Travis Mutyaba (SC Villa), Muhamed Shaban (Onduparaka), Rogers Mato (KCCA), Musa Esenu (BUL), Alfred Leku (Arua Hill), Steven Mukwala (URA), Cromwell Rwothomio (URA), Kirya Amos (Gaddafi), Sentamu Yunus (Vipers), Sematimba Titus (Wakiso Giants).

Detailed Programme:

9th January 2022: Team converges in the morning & Training in Afternoon

10th January 2022: Traveling to Turkey

12th January 2022: Iceland Vs Uganda – Antalya, Turkey

15th January 2022: Botosani Vs Uganda – Antalya, Turkey

18th January 2022: Moldova Vs Uganda – Antalya, Turkey

21st January 2022: Iraq Vs Uganda – Baghdad

27th January 2022: Bahrain Vs Uganda – Bahrain city

28th January 2022: Return to Uganda

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