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Fare thee well Generals Kutesa and Lokech

RIP Gen. Lokech

 

The two past weeks have been shrouded by news of the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan exodus of her people some even coming to Uganda, deaths of Ugandan Army Officers and criminal attacks and killings at the Nigerian Army Academy.

It is said that death is a democracy for it spares none and that it is the ultimate liberation in the same two weeks however, I have been overwhelmed by shock by the above events. As early as 5:30 am on July 16,1945 when a light brighter than a thousand suns flashed above the desert sands of New Mexico, the first atomic bomb had been exploded and one scientist exclaimed “Oh my God, we have created Hell ourselves” then on August,06,1945 an Atomic Bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, Japan where one third of its population was either killed or injured.

Three days later Nagasaki,Japan, a second Atomic bomb was dropped killing or injuring one half of the people. In short, We (Humans) are always shocked at death even when it is natural just as I got shocked at the demise of Lt.Gen. Pecos Kutesa whom I knew closely especially when he was Director of Doctrine in UPDF having replaced Gen. Wakaalo at Kimaka in Jinja and shocked more a week later when Lt. Gen. Paul Lokech died quietly at his home, I didn’t work directly with Gen. Lokech but he called me occasionally to read his condolence messages when his officers and men would die in line of duty in Mogadishu – Somalia.

In shock but in reflecting on the unfortunate demise of the three and two star Ugandan Generals respectively, a criminal gang attacked Nigeria Defence Academy (I knew many officers at this Academy) killing two senior Army officers and abducted one. In Afghanistan, Talibans wrestled back State power after two decades in the cold leading to an exodus of Afghanis from there own country some of them to Uganda.

The only good news emerging from Africa in the two past weeks was Zambia’s Hakainde Hichilema (HH) who was sworn-in in a very peaceful transfer of power in the presence of his predecessor Edgar Chakwa Lungu which “Democratic Africa” must emulate. Democracy can be best be understood as an ideology, a concept or a theory. It is an ideology in so far as it embodies a set of political ideas that detail the best possible form of social organization (Mackenzie, 1994). What happened in Zambia therefore literally means democracy is a rule by the people. It is a political system in which all citizens enjoy a number of basic, civil and political rights. It provides for the election of political leaders in a free, fair and peaceful atmosphere and ensures that such elected leaders remain accountable under a rule of law.

We needed Army Generals such as Pecos Kutesa, Paul Lokech, Julius Oketta, Aronda Nyakairima, Noble Mayombo(May all RIP) to witness such a glamorous change of Government and the State in Uganda.

Fare thee well Generals.

 

Nabendeh S.P Wamoto (0776658433)

simonwamoto@yahoo.co.uk

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Uganda’s economy continues to recover with GDP estimates of 3.3% – Mathias Katamba

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of dfcu bank Mathias Katamba

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of dfcu bank Mathias Katamba has revealed that the economy continues to recover with the GDP estimates for financial year 2020/21 closing at 3.3 percent. According to Katamba, the economic recovery alluded to stronger household consumption.

Since Uganda confirmed the first case of covid-19 pandemic in March 2020, the country has witnessed two lockdowns which have greatly affected the country’s economy.

Despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, dfcu posted good financial performance in the first half of 2021 with consolidated net profit after tax increasing by 33 percent from Shs 29.1 Billion in June 2020 to Shs 38.8 Billion in June 2021.

While several measures continue to be instituted by stakeholders to stem the pandemic and minimize disruption, the uncertainty on the direct and indirect impact on the future recovery of the economy remains.

“The first half of the year has been mixed, characterized by a second wave of COVID-19 infections with new variants and the lockdown that was instituted to curb the rising pace of infections across the country and the resultant strain on the health sector,” he said.

Below is the interview.

What is your assessment of the operating environment for period under review?

The first half of the year has been mixed, characterized by a second wave of COVID-19 infections with new variants and the lockdown that was instituted to curb the rising pace of infections across the country and the resultant strain on the health sector.

On a positive note, the economy continues to show signs of recovery with the GDP estimates for financial year 2020/21 closing at 3.3 percent which was higher than projections earlier in the year of 3.1 percent driven primarily by stronger household consumption. The financial year 2021/22 is expected to show even stronger growth especially if vaccinations pick up and other critical sectors of the economy are opened.

How did dfcu Bank perform considering the challenging environment?

Despite challenges in the operating environment, dfcu consolidated net profit after tax increased by 33 percent from Shs 29.1 Billion in June 2020 to Shs 38.8 Billion in June 2021. This upside in profit performance was driven by a 23 percent growth in net income. In terms of financial positions, we continued to shore up liquidity given the uncertain environment with a 2.6 percent increase in liquid asset holdings.

Due to the constricted economic activity, the Bank took a conscious approach to credit growth resulting in net loans and advances to customers reducing by 4.1 percent. The marginal drop in customer deposits was a result of the deliberate move to minimise the cost of funds as we continued to gradually release the expensively priced deposits. On the other hand, the impact of the restrictions and slow pace of activity reflected on our customers as the provisions for loans and advances to customers increased from Shs 8.7 Billion in June 2020 to Shs 36.7 Billion in June 2021.

What is dfcu Bank doing to galvanize support for customers, communities and the economy to recover?

We continue to provide relief in terms of restructures and repayment moratoriums to customers whose businesses have been impacted by the pandemic. More than 45 percent of our customers have received some form of credit relief to date. As a mechanism to further promote access to credit for small business and households, we started deployment of our mobile loan solution to our consumer banking customers and leveraged our customer relationship management to provide new and additional funding to business customers.

At the national level, we continued to engage with stakeholders in key sectors of the economy in the areas of Oil and Gas particularly, to promote the participation of customers in the local content component. We continue to sponsor the Best Farmer initiative which promotes the use of best practices in agribusiness in conjunction with our partners. The Bank also continues to support Savings groups and SACCOs (Savings and Credit Cooperative Organizations) through capacity building programs and small farmer-based groups through our Agricultural Development Centre.

Our staff has shown that, regardless of the circumstances, they will go over and above to support our customers, communities, and one another. We are providing tailored support across our footprint to help them manage through the pandemic.

What should customers and stakeholders expect?

Our efforts will continue to focus on driving efficiency of operations and harnessing our digital investments to sustain customer ease of doing business with us. We will also continue to play our role of ‘making more possible for our customers’ by providing much needed funding to support both individuals and business to recover. The pandemic is still with us for some time, so the health and safety of our customers and staff will continue to be a priority as well.

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Police recovers decomposing body of a young girl

Kigezi Regional Police Spokesperson Elly Maate

The Police in Kisoro District have recovered the decomposing body of a 20 year old girl who was last seen alive on Thursday August 26th 2021.

Kigezi Regional Police Spokesperson Elly Maate identified the deceased as Nyirabwiza Promise the daughter of Ndimubanza Augustine who are residents of Katovu village in Nyakinama Sub County in Kisoro District whose body was recovered yesterday evening.

Maate said that the decomposing body of Nyirabwiza who was last seen on August 26th was reported to the Police by Nsabimana Mathew Chairman of Mwaro village also in Nyakinama Sub County after a foul smell emanating from the body was found lying in the garden.

“When the Police Detectives visited the scene of the crime, the body was found with wounds around the neck which suggests cutting. That two pairs of open shoes one suspected to be for a female and another for a male were also recovered including a red and while jacket,” Maate said.

The Police preliminary investigation indicates that the body which had started rotting and having a foul smell could have spent about 3 days in the garden.

The body was retrieved by the Police and taken to Kisoro Governmemt Hospital Mortuary for a postmortem examination to be carried out and a case of murder by cutting was reported at Kisoro Central Police Station under reference number CRB 435/2021 to help in further investigation.

Maate said that so far no arrests have been made but the Police are following the crew in their findings.

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Housing Finance Bank, Buganda Land Board partner to support Bibanja owners

Housing Finance Bank, Buganda Land Board partner to support Bibanja owners

Housing Finance Bank has partnered with Buganda Land Board, (BLB), to ease  the process for Bibanja/Kibanja owners to acquire lease-hold certificates of title.

The kingdom, in a bid to speed up the kyapa processing time has launched a campaign called the “Express Plan”. The Express Plan is meant to shorten the processing time from the current six months to one month.

In 2013, Housing Finance Bank and Buganda Land Board signed the first agreement aimed at providing easy access to financing. This has been identified as a major obstacle for tenants keen on having security of tenure. Over the years, the two parties have participated in various campaigns to increase the number of landlords on the kingdom’s land.

Mr. Michael K. Mugabi, the Bank Managing Director of Housing Finance Bank commended the Buganda Land Board for their consistency and innovativeness in addressing the issues relating to titling and development of Bibanja land.

“As we renew our partnership, allow me to thank you for thinking about an easy and faster way to support bibanja owners. By shortening the processing time from six months to one month, several prospective land owners will now find it easier to secure their tenure with the kingdom.”he said.

“I would like to pledge our continued support to avail, within the shortest time possible and with absolute dedication, the funding required by Bibanja holders to process these certificates of title. As the leading mortgage lender in the country, we have mastered the art of serving customers in this space, and finding creative solutions to any obstacles they may encounter during the various stages to title acquisition” he said

Housing Finance Bank also revealed to the Buganda Land Board that the bank had entered into a number of partnerships with different development partners to support the housing sector in Uganda. Of particular interest; in 2020, the Agence Française de Development (AFD) and Housing Finance Bank signed a €10.5 million agreement towards the development of affordable housing in Uganda.

The facility allows the bank to fund phased (incremental) development of houses by the low-middle income bracket who currently struggle to access funding for home construction. Several Bibanja owners can now get funding for titling as well as for construction under this Incremental Housing Loan scheme.

“Our incremental Housing Loan scheme solution has literally broken the barrier to entry for everyone to affordably build and own a home”, he said.

According to the process flow discussed by the two parties, the kibanja owners simply have to approach Buganda Land Board and open a file, present proof of ownership of the land, and they will be recommended to Housing Finance Bank for a loan that would cover the 100% funding requirement for obtaining a lease hold certificate of title. At Housing Finance Bank, customers submit their application and supporting documentation, agree to the bank’s terms and conditions, sign the mortgage deeds and lease agreement and the loan will be disbursed. This process according to housing finance can be concluded in seven days.

The Chief Executive Officer of Buganda Land Board, Omuk. Simon Kabogoza applauded Housing Finance Bank for being one of the most committed partner banks under BLB’s signature product called Lease Access Financing Initiative (LAFI).

“As Buganda kingdom, we believe that the most important document anyone can have on land is a land title. But we also understand that while the majority of our people crave land titles, they don’t have the money readily available for title processing. So, we started the LAFI initiative which has so far benefitted more than 2,000 people on Kabaka’s land to get titles through loans from partner institutions. We are proud to say that no client has ever defaulted on their loans,” he said.

Kabogoza further urged tenants on Kabaka’s land to adopt this initiative and acquire land titles given the existing fragility of land ownership in the country.

“This goes to all bibanja holders out there, whether on Kabaka’s land or not, if you can’t afford to get a title, at least register your land interest with your landlord and pay the annual nominal ground rent (Busuulu). It is the only way you can wade off the rampant land grabbers,” he said, at the function held at HFB offices on August 26, 2021.

He said that Buganda kingdom is pro-development and they believe that a person with a land title can progress better than their untitled counterparts given that a title can be used to acquire credit, get a development plan approved and most importantly, it ensures security of tenure.

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ARIPO Member States sign adoption of the Kampala Protocol on Copyright Registration

ARIPO Member States sign adoption of the Kampala Protocol on Copyright Registration

The 40th Session of the Administrative Council held in Harare, Zimbabwe from 5th to 7th December 2016, identified the need to adopt a Protocol on voluntary registration of Copyright and Related Rights under the ARIPO framework and hence approved a roadmap for the establishment of a Voluntary Registration and Notification system at Africa Regional Intellectual Property Office (ARIPO). In pursuance of the objective, a feasibility study, policy, and legal framework were developed.

Following approval by the 17th Session of the Council of Ministers for the Legal Framework on establishing a regional voluntary copyright registration and notification system to be formulated into a Draft Protocol for adoption, a Diplomatic Conference was held in Kampala, Uganda from the 20th to 28th August 2021 at Speke Resort Munyonyo.

The Diplomatic Conference was preceded by an Experts’ meeting that brought together Copyright experts from the ARIPO Member States on 20th and 21st August 2021 and the Eleventh Extraordinary Session of the Administrative Council of ARIPO from 22nd to 26th August 2021.

Delegates comprised of Intellectual Property Experts/Practitioners, Registrars General, Honorable Ministers of African Regional Intellectual Property Office (ARIPO) 20 member states, Partners from the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), Africa Intellectual Property Rights and Innovation (AfriPI) Project and OAPI met in Kampala from August 20 – 28, 2021. A series of meetings were held that included The Experts Meeting, the 11th Extraordinary Administrative Council Session of ARIPO and The diplomatic conference that was graced by H.E the President of the Republic of Uganda His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni who delivered a key note address on Friday 27th August, 2021.

The draft Protocol, upon its adoption, establishes a Regional Voluntary Registration of Copyright and Related Rights, creates and maintains a Regional Database for Copyright and Related Rights for the ARIPO Member States.

The benefits for the member states include: enhancing an effective and efficient network between the National offices in charge of Copyright and Related Rights and the Regional office, providing an effective means of presumption as to authorship and or ownership, facilitating commercialization, stimulating more creativity, expanding markets, attracting foreign direct investment and facilitating the enforcement of rights.

The voluntary registration of Copyright and Related Rights reassures business communities and opens doors for rights holders. The system will enable effective coordination between Copyright

The purpose of the meetings was to review and adopt the ARIPO protocol on voluntary registration of copyright and related rights. The protocol was finally adopted as the Kampala Protocol on Voluntary Registration of Copyright and Related Rights.

The conference was organized by Government of Uganda through Uganda Registration Services Bureau and the Africa Regional Intellectual Property Organization.

Benefits of adoption of the ARIPO protocol on voluntary registration of copyright and related rights include; Streamline networking – effective coordination between national offices & ARIPO, Providing rights owners with an effective means of presumption as to authorship and/or ownership of rights;

Offering a document that will constitute a prima facie evidence of ownership, The authors and rights holders will be known, this can facilitate commercialization leading to them being incentivized to create more and explore new markets, thereby increasing their income;

Can apply to financial institutions for collaterals using the document of ownership observing the T&C of financial institutions, Facilitating efficient distribution of royalties to the right holders and providing valuable important records and information on creativity, both from a legal and economic perspective.

The Diplomatic Conference adopted the following Resolution:

Member States should take the necessary steps to ensure a rapid ratification or accession to the Protocol.

Call on the Administrative Council to develop the necessary implementing regulations under Article 18 of the Protocol, in order to ensure a prompt and efficient implementation of the Protocol;

Call on Member States, Cooperating Partners and other stakeholders to provide financial and material support for the effective implementation of the Protocol;

The name of the adopted Protocol is: THE KAMPALA PROTOCOL ON VOLUNTARY REGISTRATION OF COPYRIGHT AND RELATED RIGHTS.

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UMRA to track down unlicensed money lenders

Money

The Uganda Microfinance Regulatory Authority (UMRA) has noted with concern the unlicensed money lenders taking advantage of desperate people and said it finalized plans to launch and enforce operations against all those operating outside the law.

Peter Emong Ojulang, the UMRA Executive Director said; “It has come to the attention of the Authority that some unlicensed individuals are conducting money lending business in total disregard of the provisions of the law. Section 84 of the Tier 4 Microfinance lending business without a license.”

“The Authority would like to inform the general public that Tier 4 Microfinance Institutions and Money Lenders Act, 2016 is now effective. The Authority has noted with concern the mushrooming unlicensed money lenders around the country conducting business in defiance of the sections under the Tier 4 Microfinance Institutions and Money Lenders Act, 2016 and accompanying regulations.”

Ojulang added that the illegal money lending companies are taking advantage of desperate people affected by Covid-19 pandemic to cheat them. “We are informing the general public that the Authority has finalized plans to launch enforce operations against all those operating outside the law.”

Uganda Microfinance Regulatory Authority (UMRA) is mandated to regulate, license and supervise all the Tier IV Microfinance Institutions and Money Lenders in Uganda. The Authority was established by section 6 of the Tier IV Microfinance Institutions and Money Lenders Act, 2016.

The Act applies to Money Lenders, SACCOs, Non Deposit Taking Microfinance Institutions and self-Help Groups.

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URA clarifies on tax treatment of textile imports for the financial year 2021/22

textiles

The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has said that textiles and garments which are not manufactured in Uganda since they can’t cannot be adequately sourced locally have been maintained at an import duty rate of 35 percent. These textiles account for 90 percent of the clearances by the textile and garments traders.

In a statement from Ian Rumanyika, the URA acting Assistant Commissioner, Public and Corporate Affairs, said the textiles and garments that can be sourced locally from Ugandan manufacturers which account for 10 percent of the imports by the traders shall be maintained at the rate of 35 percent or $3.0 per kilogram for textiles or 35 percent or USD 3.5 percent per kilo for garments as approved by the council of ministers under the East African Community Gazette Legal Notice.

The Kampala City Traders Association (KACITA) last week threatened that starting September 1, they will remain at home as a peaceful demonstration in protest to what they termed as government’s deliberate increment of taxes on textiles and garments.

KACITA claimed that taxes of textiles and garments in the country have been increased adding that given the current situation of Covid-19, this has affected the traders.

Rumanyika said that the 35 percent was the tax rate applicable on textile for the Financial Year 2020/2021 and therefore status quo has been maintained.

Textiles have proved to be one of the most critical sectors in job creation in Africa. An example is Ethiopia, where the sector employs more than 2.5 Million people, with women accounting for 70 per cent.

He added that the government is continuing to engage the leadership of Kampala City Traders Association and all the other traders’ Associations to achieve a shared appreciation of this position and the collective benefits that come with it.

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Rwanda hands over body of killed Ugandan

The coffin containing the remains of Justus Elias Kabagambe being loaded on a truck.

The Rwandan authorities this Sunday evening at around 6:30pm handed over the body of a 25-year-old Ugandan man who was shot dead by the Rwanda’s security on Rwandan land.

The deceased identified as Justus Kabagambe Erias was on August 18 at around 10:00pm shot dead after crossing into Rwanda for a distance of 1½ Km with unauthorized Ugandan crude waragi.

Kabagambe’s body was handed over by the District Police Commander of Burera district, SP Aphrodus Nkundineza and the mayor of Burera town, Mrs Uwanyirigira Marie Chantal. On the behalf of the government of Uganda, the body was received by Kable District Police Commander, Asp Rashid Byansi and the area LC 5 chairman, Nsangabashija. The handover ceremony took place at Katuna border.

Kigezi Regional Police Spokesman, Elly Matte says the police have already done a postmortem and plans are underway to hand over the body to the relatives of in Rutare village, Butanda sub county Kabale District for burial.

The police has condemned the act of illegal border crossing by Ugandans.

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Over 500 African pastors attended a Shincheonji online seminar on 28th August with Pastor man hee Lee

“Please confirm the reality of the fulfillment of the Book of Revelation”.

On the 14th of this month, the pastor of Shincheonji church of Jesus, Chairman Man-hee Lee asked it to the attendees of the seminar held in South Korea where 14,000 participated in.

Then in Africa, he held the Shincheonji Word Seminar organized by the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony (hereafter, Shincheonji Church of Jesus) and over 500 of african pastors took part in it on the 28th.

In this sermon, Chairman Man-Hee  Lee plainly revealed the story how he had received revelation and the journey of faith through the sermon, and appeal saying, ‘I have a mission to convey the reality of the fulfillment of the Book of Revelation given by Jesus.’. And he emphasized that Christians must know the contents of the New Testament and the book of Revelation and follow the Will of God.

It was confirmed that about over 758 Christians, including 500 pastors, attended this seminar online. Of these,300 people applied for follow-up education after the sermon saying they wanted to hear more from Shincheonji Church of Jesus and many of them accepted to cooperate with Shincheonji Church of Jesus by creating an MOU with them.

 

Among the African countries that attended the seminar included Uganda, Kenya, Burundi, Central Africa, the Democratic republic of Congo and Rwanda

Amongst the pastors, Pr. Sekyanzi Isaac who attended the seminar said that ” According to what he says that didn’t go to theology school, and yet can explain the the whole Bible after he met the Holy Spirit and not only that, he has done the work of peace, he may have a message to me .”

This seminar was evaluated that it showed that online worship, faith education, and spread of the gospel are possible enough if you are faithful to the essence of the Word and faith in the current religious world, which is struggling with online worship and Bible education as the number of worshipers and church members decreases after the COVID-19 pandemic.

In fact, from January to July of this year, a total of 78,000 people at Shincheonji Church of Jesus are taking the online Bible education that is only conducted online. About 20,000 people have registered and are taking the online Zion Christian Mission Center course, a free Bible education course offered by Shincheonji Church of Jesus.

An official from Shincheonji Church of Jesus said, “As this seminar was aimed at pastors, it delivered a strong but essential message. The fact that about 3,000 people said they would like to attend the follow-up education in Korea is also proof that they have been thirsting for the words of the Bible. It can be seen that many of them have thought of making judgments by themselves after listening to the Word by themselves.

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Museveni promotes fallen Maj. Gen. Paul Lokech to Lieutenant General

RIP Gen. Paul Lokech

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has promoted the fallen Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIGP) Maj. Gen. Paul Lokech to the rank of Lieutenant General.

The promotion follows a request by districts councils from Acholi that convened yesterday asking Museveni to promote the deceased General for his tremendous contribution towards peace and security in the country.

Gen. Lokech passed away on Saturday  August 21, 2021. According to a post-mortem examination carried out by a team of pathologists, Lokech died of a blood clot which was carried into the lungs. He has been laid to rest at his ancestral home in Baibir village in Pader District. Lt. Gen. Paul Lokech has been accorded 21 gun salutes in respect as a senior army officer.

In his speech delivered by the minister of internal affairs Gen. Kahinda Otafiire, Museveni applauded Lokech for flashing out Al-Shabaab in Mogadishu, maintaining peace at the sea port, airport and state house in Somalia.

“ It just came to my attention that Gen. Lokech did all commandership courses in South African and other countries and he has commanded a number of operations in Somalia, etc. when he went to the police he found that camera operatives were playing cards on social media that is why there was a high crime rate in the country,” he said.

“The death of Gen. Lokech was untimely, why didn’t the doctors see this coming yet he had a fracture and an open wound. He did his part in an exemplary way,” Museveni said.

“With powers entrusted to me according to the constitution, I therefore promote Maj. Gen. Paul Lokech to Lieutenant General. Some people were asking me to promote him to the full General, but you can’t promote a reverend without church. Promoting him to full general requires a number of courses and deployment. Since he was deployed in police he is promoted to that rank,” he said.

Gen. Lokech Was a senior military officer at the rank of Major General, in the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF). He was appointed Deputy Inspector General of Police of the Uganda Police Force on 16 December 2020.

Lokech’s military career includes service in various leadership capacities, including two tours as the Commander of the Uganda contingent to Somalia, as part of the AMISOM peacekeeping force. The first tour was between May 2011 and 2012. His second Somalia rotation was from December 2017 until December 2018. During his first tour, Lokech commanded Battle Groups Eight and Nine, responsible for ejecting Al-Shabaab militants from Mogadishu in 2011.

Before his second tour in Somalia, he was the Commanding Officer of the Second UPDF Division, based at Makenke Barracks, in Mbarara, in the Western Region of Uganda. He previously served as the Military Attaché at Uganda’s Embassy to Russia, based in Moscow.

He has also served as part of Uganda’s peace-keeping forces in South Sudan. He was part of Operation Safe Haven (OSH), a UPDF operation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo intended to neutralise the rebel Allied Democratic Forces (ADF).

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