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NSSF new Board Chairman vows to steer the Fund towards success

By
Geoffery Serugo
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NSSF Board Chairman, Dr. Peter Kimbowa

The National Social Security Fund today unveiled the New Board of Directors/ Trustees who will oversee the operations of the Fund for the next three years.

Speaking during the official unveiling ceremony at Kampala Serena Hotel, The Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Matia Kasaija who unveiled the new National Social Security Fund Board of Directors congratulated the outgoing Board, for steering the Fund through an era of growth.

“You have exited the stage without any blemish on your record of service and I commend you for that,” he said.

The Minister also encouraged Ugandans to learn the habit of saving money early so that they do not get setbacks at the time of retirement.

The Fund’s new Board Chairman, Dr. Peter Kimbowa said that the 12th Board is ready to steer head the Fund in the right direction.

“We pledge to be open minded and curious to ask the right questions. We will ensure transparency and accountability as all individuals and teams within the Fund. We also plan to remain very adaptive so that we can move with the times, but also ahead of the times since we are in the post pandemic era and artificial intelligence has become part of our lives,” Dr. Kimbowa said.

He also noted that the main vision for the fund in the next three years is to reshape the fund’s portfolio to respond better to the business environment, prioritize and leverage on technology, data and analytics platforms so as to serve members better through problem solving.

‘’We are going to look at the opportunities to see how to grow the fund for the next generation solutions,” he added.

NSSF Managing Director, Richard Byarugaba also expressed his gratitude for the outgoing board for having performed exceptionally well.

‘’Statistics reveal that there’s growth in our assets under management from Shs 5.6 trillion at the start of their first term in 2015, to about Shs 15.4 trillion this year, a growth of 175% in just 8 years,” he said.

Byarugaba explained that the Fund is currently undergoing a 4th milestone since it was set up.

The composition of the 12th Board is founded on a tripartite arrangement that includes; Representatives from unionized workers through the National Organization of Trade Unions (NOTU) and Confederation of Free Trade Unions (COFTU), Employers under Federation of Uganda Employers and Government – through representatives from the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development; and Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development.

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Africell exits Ugandan market

By
Geoffery Serugo
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Africell

Telecom service provider, Africell has announced that it will next month exit Uganda.

“Africell has decided to leave Uganda and focus on other opportunities for social and commercial impact. Doing so is the most sustainable way to fulfill our overall mission to advance African telecom sector,” Africell said adding that “The decision was made in the long term interest of the Ugandan telecom sector.”

According to a statement released to its employees, the company has over the past month conducted a detailed assessment of the future of Africell Uganda. The company established that it is struggling to be a leader not only in terms of mobile services but also in terms of community impact and the digitally lead transformation of society.

“We believe that the opportunity to achieve this impact is incredibly limited. We have therefore taken the difficult to permanently end Africell Uganda operations.”

“Africell will stop services on 7 October 2021 and the last day of employment with Africell Uganda will be 30 November 2021. Africell will clearly communicate the transition in respect to its employees and clients,” Africell said.

The company further said that it will award severance pay, unused annual leave allowance, repatriation pay, training and support from a dedicated onsite professional.

“We understand that all employees have unique personal circumstances and the Human resource office will be in contact to explain specific packages for employees. As of 8 September 2021, Africell will not accept new customers. In the next month, the company will be helping current customers to switch to other service provider,” Africell said.

Africell Uganda was established in May 2014, when it acquired the majority stake that Orange Telecom owned in its Uganda cellular network. Africell paid $12 million for that stake, inheriting an estimated 1,000,000 subscribers. In November 2014, the Group Chairman and CEO announced plans to invest US$150 million in the next 5 years, to upgrade the Africell network in Uganda.

In 2014, the network subscribers in Uganda were estimated at one million. As of September 2018, its subscriber customer numbers had risen to 2.1 million. In April 2020, the company’s website gives the number of subscribers as over 3,000,000.

In 2018, Africell Holdings, the parent company of Africell Uganda, secured a loan of US$100 million from the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), to expand operations in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Africell Holdings maintains subsidiaries in the Gambia, Sierra Leone, DR Congo and Uganda. As of January 2015, Africell Uganda maintained coverage in the majority of Uganda’s geographical area.

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MPs Ssegirinya, Ssewanyana remanded to Kitalya prison over Masaka gruesome killings

By
Geoffery Serugo
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Masaka Central Police Station

Makindye West MP Allan Sswanyana and Kawempe North Legislator Muhammad Ssegirinya have been remanded to Kitalya prison.

The two were  arraigned before Masaka Magistrates’ Court over Masaka gruesome killings and are to spend 108 days on remand after being charged with 4 counts. Three are of murder and one is of attempted murder.

The two were transferred from Masaka Central Police Station where they were told to report today after they recorded statements yesterday. The two are facing charges of murder, terrorism and others.

Yesterday, CP Fred Enanga said the summoning of the two based on statements recorded by various suspects who were arrested in relation to heinous murders in the region.

“We zero on them based of Suspects admissions indicating how they recruited and taken through the clearly designed plans at a meeting they held at Ndeba that was aimed at creating atrocity against the elderly victims in the selected districts,” Enanga said.

“The suspects indicated to us how they were promised wealth as a motivating factor and it was under the command of the two politicians that victims were hacked and beaten to death,” he said.

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.

On September 1, 2021, Masaka Chief Magistrates Court remanded 10 suspects implicated in the killings. Police confirmed the 11 more suspects will appear today or tomorrow before court.

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74% of NGOs in Karamoja region don’t exist

By
Simon Kabayo
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The-Karamojong

Atleast 74 percent of the Non- Government Organisations (NGOs) in Karamoja Region don’t exist. The revelation was made by Richard Omoding, the Executive Director of Riamiriam Civil Society Network which monitors the activities of the civil society organizations in Karamoja sub region.

A total of 340 International and National Organizations are operating in Uganda’s poorest region, Karamoja. Omoding said they cannot trace 252 (74 percent) of them on the ground of operation.

He said last week, local community in Moroto chased away officials from an NGO after claiming some activities implemented by other development partners.

Apparently they were trying to impress EU ambassadors who were touring development projects in the region. Omoding said they carried out a mapping exercise this year which concluded in April.

“During this exercise, we managed to record physical addresses of only 88 development partners in the Karamoja region,” Amoding said.

“Sometimes we get shocked when we see organizations running to Karamoja whenever big officials come to Karamoja yet they can’t be traced,’’ Omoding said.

Betty Angolere, an Anti-Corruption Monitor for Rupa Sub-County said there is a need for district authorities in Karamoja to consider doing a headcount for all the NGOs operating in the region to get the actual number.

She also advised the funders to always seek guidance from the local community and leaders before releasing any funding to any development partners claiming to be running projects in Karamoja.

“Come to us and have a brief engagement with us before releasing any money to the particular NGO claiming to be operating in Karamoja,” Angolere said.

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Two Makerere dons in critical conditions after being attacked by Bijambya squad in Namugongo

By
Our Reporter
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Dr John Bosco Kalule who is receiving treatment at undisclosed health facility.

Two Makerere University lecturers are admitted in hospitals after being attacked by Bijambya squads in Namugongo Nsaggu.

Those attacked are Dr.John Bosco Kalule and Dr. Nampazira both lecturers at the college of Veterinary Medicine Makerere University.

It is said both were cut by pangas as other members of the houses were beaten.

Dr Kalule is a veterinarian and microbiologist with a special interest in One Health applications to investigate disease at the human- animal interface. He has participated in numerous projects locally and internationally on zoonoses at the human-animal interface.

He is also interested in foodborne antimicrobial resistance. He graduated with a PhD in Microbiology from the University of Cape Town in 2017, holds a Masters of Medicine – Microbiology, and a Bachelors of Veterinary Medicine degree from Makerere University, Uganda. He is a lecturer at Makerere University College of Veterinary Medicine, Uganda and also a member of the taskforce of the ministry of health, Uganda that has investigated viral haemorrhagic fever outbreaks.

However, this comes at the time when the Bijambya have warned residents of Namugongo, a Kampala suburb with threats contained in an anonymous letter allegedly written by dreaded Bijambiya squad warning of an imminent attack at 10pm.

However, the killers didn’t specify which day and date they will strike.

In the letter, the author said they will visit Nsawo Estate first with only one motive, “to kill”.

“We shall not steal your things. We are coming just to kill. Now be ready for us,” the message read in parts.

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Geoffrey Oloya, the first recipient of Shs100,000 Covid-19 relief fund arrested

By
Geoffery Serugo
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Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja rolled out a relief distribution campaign targeting 500,000 people

Police have arrested Geoffrey Oloya, the first recipient of the Shs 100,000 Covid-19 relief money that was meant for the vulnerable who were affected by the second lockdown.

Oloya was arrested shortly after he turned up in Gulu City offices to explain how he benefited from the campaign. He was later released after the intervention of district leaders.

On 18th June 2021, President Yoweri Museveni instituted the second Covid-19 lockdown in the country and directed the Ministry of Finance to release Shs53.5bn for vulnerable groups of people. The lockdown, according to the president peddled at curbing the second wave of Covid-19.

In June 2021, the government released Shs 53.5 billion Covid-19 relief fund for various categories of people who were affected by the second Covid-19 lockdown. The beneficiaries included; boda-boda riders, salon operators, taxi drivers, shoe shiners among others.

In July, the Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja rolled out a relief distribution campaign targeting 500,000 people. At the launch of the campaign at the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), Nabbanja called and confirmed Geoffrey Oloya from Gulu as the first recipient of the relief fund.

“Hello. This is the Prime Minister of Uganda. Have you received the money?” Nabbanja asked as she called the first beneficiary of the exercise. “I have received Shs102,425 right honorable,” Oloya who disguised as a boda-boda replied.

The Public Accounts Committee later tasked Gulu City leaders to provide detailed reports on the beneficiaries of the COVID-19 cash after confirmation that the first beneficiary of the relief cash is not a boda-boda rider.

Gulu City officials later said that they are not aware of him and the number that was called has been off since the PM’s call. It was established that he is a businessman in Gulu City and assistant to the Gulu Mayor.

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We didn’t supervise works on the Kisenyi building because it was illegal – KCCA

By
Our Reporter
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Kisenyi building collapse

The Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has said that it didn’t supervise works on the collapsed building in Kisenyi because it was illegal and they had notified the owners to stop construction.

“According to our records, construction works at this site did not have the requisite planning and building permissions as required by the law and were therefore illegal,” a statement from by KCCA on 6th September read in part.

“Once the structure is illegal, then it can’t be supervised by KCCA building inspectors and such works have to be stopped following protocols stipulated in the building laws.”

According to the authority, seven people were confirmed dead; 4 females and 3 males while 5 persons were rescued from the rubble with injuries and forwarded to Mulago Hospital for further treatment.

“The developer ignored KCCA instructions to halt works with the same impunity exhibited at the recent construction site collapse incident in Kitebi, Lubaga Division. These accidents could have been avoided if the developers heeded to KCCA’s directives.”

“KCCA had issued a Removal Notice, as per section 72 (1) of the Public Health Act on 30th June 2021 and an Enforcement Notice on 29th July 2021. Further inspection was made and by the end of July 2021, the structure was at the second level. By the time of the collapse, construction had proceeded despite notices served and an additional two levels had been constructed in a space of just one month,” the authority noted.

“The public should note that for any building construction works to proceed, the owner is required to secure planning permission as per the Physical Planning Act and building permission as per the Building Control Act. Once these permissions are secured, then KCCA building inspectors monitor the construction activities to ensure compliance with the relevant building codes and that appropriately qualified staff are running the site,” the statement reads.

Many times these accidents are attributed to employment of unqualified personnel, use of poor work methods, poor materials, inadequate designs, inadequate supervision, short breaks between constructions to allow concrete to set, inadequate ground conditions etc.

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Emirates partners with Chris Hemsworth in a bold new campaign inviting visitors to experience Expo 2020 Dubai

By
Our Reporter
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Dubai-expo-Emirates-Chris Hemsworth

Fly Emirates has urged visitors to experience Expo 2020 Dubai’s endless possibilities in a new global campaign.

Fronted by actor and celebrity powerhouse, Chris Hemsworth, the campaign illustrates the ultra-futuristic themes and incredible experiences in store at Expo 2020 Dubai when it opens its doors to the world on 1 October.

Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation and Director General, Expo 2020 Dubai said: “We partnered with Emirates to produce a bold and exciting campaign that we believe will resonate with audiences around the world and inspire them to come and experience Expo 2020 Dubai for themselves. Expo 2020 Dubai will be one of the greatest must-see events in the world. In addition to impressive marquee pavilions that immerse visitors in the themes of mobility, sustainability and opportunity, and 191 amazing country pavilions, there will also be an unforgettable celebration of music, art and culture with a packed entertainment programme, unique culinary experiences, and much more. It’s truly shaping up to be an event not to be missed.”

Chris Hemsworth also remarked on the importance of EXPO 2020 in shaping a brighter future: “In 2019, I partnered with Emirates and EXPO 2020 Dubai to help bring awareness to what is a really important event for the world. We all have the power to shape a better future, and the last year and a half has shown us that the possibilities are endless when we put our minds together. At Expo 2020 Dubai, the world will come together in the spirit of collaboration to provide real life solutions that will benefit future generations. If you’re able to travel and you feel it’s safe, I sincerely hope you can make it.”

Conceptualised and filmed pre-Covid in time for the original opening date of Expo 2020 Dubai, the ad aims to convey the energising spirit of innovation, creativity, and the drive to create a better future, all key themes of the global event. Taking a layered approach to storytelling, the ad is supported by a myriad of Computer-Generated Imagery (CGI) animations and visuals to illustrate what the event would look like, as it was filmed while the Expo 2020 site was still under construction.

In the ad, Hemsworth transports viewers from the iconic beaches of Dubai and through its awe-inspiring skyline to the Expo 2020 Dubai site, bringing to life the event’s flagship mobility, sustainability, and opportunity pavilions, as well as providing a glimpse into the excitement and celebration that awaits at the participating country pavilions.

The ad shows the seamless transition and interactions between people and a fantasy world of future possibilities – including re-creations of interactive jungles and forests, and a Mars mission, all representing just how much humanity has to offer during the event.

The musical soundtrack for the campaign, ‘Pure Imagination’, was reworked, modified and reinterpreted by a 70-piece orchestra and features a children’s choir. Children play an important role throughout the ad, coming from different cultures and backgrounds, and highlighting the role they will play as tomorrow’s leaders.

The ad was fittingly directed by two-time Oscar-winning director Robert Stromberg, whose film credits include Avatar, Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland, and Disney’s Maleficent. The graphics were brought to life by multi-Oscar award winning visual effects and production company MPC (Moving Picture Company).

Emirates is the Premier Partner and Official Airline of Expo 2020 Dubai, and recently launched an exclusive offer for customers to experience the excitement of the World Expo. Emirates’ customers visiting or travelling through Dubai, anytime during 1 October 2021 to 31 March 2022, will be eligible to receive a free Emirates Expo Day Pass for every flight ticket booked with Emirates.

The offer is applicable across all classes and extends to tickets booked through Emirates for flights on flydubai and customers travelling to anywhere on Emirates’ global network with a connection time of at least six hours in Dubai.

Running from 1 October 2021 to 31 March 2022 and coinciding with the UAE’s Golden Jubilee, Expo 2020 Dubai will bring the world together, and will help leave a lasting memory for all those visiting the event through the unique experiences on offer.

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Court dismisses election petition filed against MP Muhammad Ssegirinya

By
Geoffery Serugo
-
Muhammad Ssegirinya

The High Court in Kampala has dismissed an election petition challenging the election of Kawempe North MP Muhammad Ssegirinya.

In the ruling delivered by Court’s Deputy Registrar Agnes Alum, Justice Henrietta Wolayo dismissed the petition on ground that Ssegirinya was not served.

“There is no evidence by petitioners’ lawyers to prove that Ssegirinya was served as required by the law. The OC of Kitalya prison had to endorse the petition to prove that he had been served,” Justice Wolayo ruled.

The judge said by the order of substituted service, Kidandala’s lawyers had to personally serve Ssegirinya while in prison or through the officer in charge of the prison who had acknowledged receipt.

In February, Sulaiman Kidandala petitioned the Court seeking to overturn Ssegirinya’s victory on grounds that he used forged academic papers for nomination and subsequent election as a member of parliament.

Ssegirinya defeated nine other candidates after he polled 41,197 votes against his closest challenger Kidandala who had 7,512 votes.

Kidandala wanted the court to overturn his victory on grounds that he lacks the Ordinary and Advanced Certificates and is, therefore, ineligible for election as MP. He contends that Ssegirinya used the academic documents of Nampiima Sarah for “O” Level and Nabadda Maureen for “A” level and wanted the High court to order Electoral Commission to organize fresh elections for Kawempe North.

He averred that Ssegirinya is not a registered voter anywhere in the country and he failed to obtain the names and signatures of a minimum of ten registered voters in Kawempe North to support his nomination.

During the pre–hearing session, through his lawyers led by Kenneth Paul Kakande, Kidandala told Court that the MP was served but instead he chose not to attend.

Kakande said they found it hard to serve the MP and the first time they heard that he is detained at Kampala Central Police Station (CPS) but instead declined to take summons.

“We approached the Officer in Charge (OC) of CPS and urged us to wait and serve him at Buganda Road Court where he was to appear before a magistrate over charges of inciting violence. Justice Emmanuel Baguma, the deputy head of the High court civil division, allowed us to serve him through the officer-in-charge of Kitalya prisons,” Kakande said.

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US gov’t donates 647,080 doses of Moderna vaccines to Uganda

By
Simon Kabayo
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US gov't donates 647,080 doses of Moderna vaccines to Uganda

The US government has donated 647,080 doses of Moderna vaccines to supplement the ongoing COVID-19 vaccination in the country.

The vaccines which were received by the Minister of health Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, were donated under the dose sharing arrangement through the COVAX Facility.

The minister said: “The vaccines received will be strictly administered to the priority population groups who have not received their 1st dose of any COVID-19 vaccine.”

“It should be noted that the Moderna vaccine cannot be mixed with any other COVID-19 vaccine currently being rolled out in the country. Vaccine is administered in 2 doses, 4 weeks apart,” she said.

She revealed that Uganda will receive 1.6 M doses of the Pfizer vaccine under the same dose sharing arrangement before the end of September.

In the ongoing vaccination exercise, a total of 1,044,871 Ugandans have already received their first dose of the vaccine while 431,655 have fully been vaccinated.

The United States is committed to ending the COVID-19 pandemic as quickly as possible. These U.S. donated COVID-19 vaccines will save Ugandan lives,” said U.S. Ambassador Natalie E. Brown. “We are in this together. We will overcome this virus.”

This donation will help protect the Ugandan people from the ongoing devastation of COVID-19.  These doses are part of the U.S. government’s commitment to share the U.S. vaccine supply with the world.  As we continue to fight the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States and work to end the pandemic worldwide, President Biden has promised that the United States will be an “arsenal of vaccines” for the world. To date, the United States has donated more than 125 million COVID-19 vaccine doses to 80 countries around the world, and more are on their way.

As President Biden said: “From the beginning of my presidency, we have been clear-eyed that we need to attack this virus globally as well. This is about our responsibility  our humanitarian obligation to save as many lives as we can  and our responsibility to our values. We’re going to help lead the world out of this pandemic, working alongside our global partners.”

The United States is a longstanding partner in saving lives, improving health, and addressing public health threats in Uganda and the region.  Since the pandemic began last year, the United States has provided approximately $110 million to Uganda in direct assistance specifically to prevent, detect, and respond to COVID-19.

U.S. Mission personnel have been committed and engaged in Uganda’s COVID response efforts from the beginning, and throughout each phase of the response we have provided critical funding and technical support.  In advance of Uganda’s national vaccine rollout in March 2021, the United States provided technical and financial support in data management, risk communication, and community mobilization efforts that enabled vaccine uptake across Uganda.

“We will continue to do all we can to build a world that is safer and more secure against the threat of infectious disease,” Ambassador Brown said.

The U.S. government contributed $2 billion to Gavi in March, which supported procurement and delivery of COVID-19 vaccines through COVAX.  In July, the U.S. government provided an additional $2 billion contribution to Gavi that will help fill the gap in COVAX’s vaccine supply.

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