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Bribery by former MPs cited in Asian property row 

By
Our Reporter
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Munyagwa and his Makindye East colleague, Ibrahim Kasozi.

 

 

THE FORMER MPs ARE ALLEGEDLY SEEKING FOR BRIBES IN ORDER TO DELETE SOME OF THE PROPERTY LIST OF THOSE ON THE CANCELLATION AND REPOSSESSION LIST

Former Members of Parliament on committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) are being accused by city landlords of witch-hunt in the ongoing row involving properties of Departed Asians.

According to a source in Parliament, the new MPs are finding it hard in implementing some of the resolutions passed by the former legislators as some have allegedly asked for money from current proprietors of the properties in order to be removed from the list of those they claim acquired buildings fraudulently.

Source say the current COSASE leadership is supposed to curry on from where their colleagues stopped but it is becoming hard to do so because the former legislators are hindrance to any move.

COSASE is one of the four accountability committees of parliament mandated to examine the audited accounts by the auditor general detailing the appropriation of government funds to different commissions, authorities and enterprises.

COSASE instituted a sub-committee led by the committee vice chairman (Makindye East) Ibrahim Kasozi. Kasozi’s sub-committee was supposed to investigate allegations that several properties of departed Asians had been repossessed despite their full compensation by the government. However, the owners of the properties protested the allegations saying they are the rightful owners as they have full documents.

The Kasozi sub-committee in their report indicated that some Asians have reclaimed properties that were fully compensated by the government, while other Asians claim that they weren’t paid.

However, allegations have surfaced indicating that the former COSASE sub-committee legislators that was headed by Kasozi has continued to interest themselves in the probe with allegations that they are using the report to extort money from the owners of the building across the country.

Another entity that has been drawn into the allegations of extortion is the Departed Asian Property Custodian Board (DAPCB)that sources say is using their last chance in office to reclaim some of the cleared properties.

“These chaps are trying to claim what isn’t theirs and this can been seen from the speed at which they are claiming cleared properties. However, we are glad that we have a sane Attorney General this time who won’t allow fraudsters to torture genuine owners of the properties” said a source.

Recently the Solicitor General warned DAPCB Executive Secretary George Bizibu and Finance Minister Matia Kasaija not to interfere in matters regarding Asian properties.

The Solicitor General said the matter regarding those properties was put to rest by his office and the former Finance Minister. He said the two have continuously discarded the earlier positions.

“reference is made to your letter no CB2672 dated  26 February 2021 addressed to the LC1 Chairperson, Martin Road (copy attached) on the captioned subject which was brought to the attention of the Hon. Attorney General on 16, April 2021 in his capacity as principal legal advisor of the government by M/s Sharma Import and Export (U) Limited, the registered owners of the property captioned. The letter requires the occupants/registered owners of the property to vacate it to enable the Minister for Finance to deal in the property”

He adds “The Hon. Attorney General has advised as follows: That he has previously advised on such matters  vide his letter to the Hon Minister of Finance , Planning and Economic Development ref.ADM31/197/01 dated 15 August. That as per the said letter of August 2019, the minister responsible for Finance (or Departed Asians Property Custodian Board) “(“The Board”) has no powers to cancel a certificate of repossession previously issued by him or her (See Mohan Kiwanuka vs Asha Chand SCCA No14 of 2002). That powers is reserved for the High Court of Uganda under section 15 of the Expropriated Properties Act Cap.87. It is also the position of the law that a certificate (of title) is conclusive proof of title to land, unless it has been proved that the title was procured through fraud”.

Accordingly sources allege that the latest maneuvers are an indicator by DAPCB using the former legislators to extort money from property owners that are spread across the country.

This website failed to get a comment from Mr Kasozi as his known mobile phone was switched off.

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Blogger Lumbuye in gov’t custody at unknown location

By
Our Reporter
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Fred Lumbuye
Blogger Fred Lumbuye who has been basing in Turkey to make controversial posts on his social media accounts and was arrested by Turkish authorities was yesterday deported to Uganda where government is holding him in an unknown location, this website has established.
Lumbuye was on Saturday morning handed over to Ugandan government by Turkish security operatives who arrived in the country with him aboard Turkish Airlines, which touched down at Entebbe International Airport on Saturday at around 3 am.
According to security sources, the renowned blogger was held at the police station in the passenger terminal for two hours where he was interrogated. He was later whisked off to Kampala in a way no one around could notice for prevention gatherings.
From the airport, security sources further say, Lumbuye was taken through immigration and the police station to Turkish Embassy in Kampala from where the Turkish security operatives officially handed him over to Ugandan authorities.
“Lumbuye is in the safe hands of the government,” Foreign Affairs State Minister, Okello Oryem is quoted as saying.
Citing security reasons and for avoidance of attracting crowds, the minister declined to disclose where exactly Lumbuye is being held.
After interrogations, says Oryem, Lumbuye will be produced in the courts of law to answer charges.
Lumbuye was arrested at the Ugandan Embassy in Istanbul where he had gone to renew his passport, according to his allies.
The Ugandan who has been living in Turkey caused trouble to himself when he became the source of a rumour that dominated social media in July indicating that President Museveni was very ill and admitted to a hospital in Germany. This was followed by the allegations he further made claiming that Museveni had actually died from the hospital where he had been taken.
Later at the swearing ceremony of the last batch of ministers, Museveni, said the country has got another challenge of social media, which needs to be dealt with urgently. He ordered security agencies to hunt down anybody who was trading rumours that he was dead and for those outside the country, their citizenship should be revoked.
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UPDF mourns Maj. Gen. Stephen Rwabantu

By
Our Reporter
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RIP Gen. Stephen Rwabantu.

Uganda peoples’ Defence Forces and the entire National Resistance Army/Movement is mourning the passing on of Maj.Gen. Stephen Rwabantu.

He died of short illness at a Kampala hospital

Rwabantu whose army number was RO/0081 joined the rebellion in 1981 and by the time of his death, he was the Deputy Commander UPDF Reserve Force.

In March this year Rwabantu warned the opposition they (NRA) would not hesitate to reign in on anyone who tried to destabilise the country
“I have learnt with great sorrow of the passing of Gen. Stephen T. Rwabantu ‘Gonya’ (RO/0081), a war hero & comrade for many years. Always understanding & a true gentleman. He will be missed. My heartfelt condolences to the family, friends & the UPDF fraternity. #RIP Comrade. HT” Former Security Minister Lt.Gen. Henry Tumukunde mourned.

 

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Kasaija scouting for new NSSF board as Kaberenge and others exit

By
Our Reporter
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NSSF outgoing board chairman, Patrick Byabakama Kaberenge.

 

 

The National Social Security Fund is set to get a new board of directors as majority of the current board expire this August.

According to the July 22, 2021 letter from National Social Security Fund to the Minister of Finance titled expiry of the NSSF 11th board directors’ term, it says the board formally ends on August 31.

“This is to request that you urgently consider and determine the composition of the 12th board in time to enable a smooth transition. The timing of the appointment of the 12th board is especially critical to enable the fund to comply with the statutory obligations relating to approval of the fund’s financial  statements for the financial year ended, and relatedly your declaration of the annual interests to members” reads NSSF letter to Finance Minister Matia Kasaija

The NSSF letter lists board chairman Patrick Byabakama Kaberenge, Patrick Ocailap, Florence Namata Mawejje  and Peninnah Tukamwesiye as some of the board members that have served the two mandatory terms and are not eligible for renewal

Eagle Online has reliably learnt that the other two that are to be replaced are Peter Christopher Werikhe representing worker from National Organisation of Trade Unions and and Stephen Mugole also from the same union. Both Werikhe and Mugole have served a their first term and are eligible for reappointment but the law bars them since they are Members of Parliament. Mugole is the MP for Kabweri county while Werikhe is MP for Bubulo West.

Kaberenge has previously clashed with Minister Kasaija on the Midterm access to the funds as regards the government position. He is also reported to have contradicted the president in meetings that culminated to Mid term position.

This website can further reveal that Kasaija has written to various constituencies that have interests in the fund to nominate names for the new board.

“The NSSF letter to Kasaija further aasks Kasaija to consider people with skills in investment,project management, accounting and finance so as to manage and understand their supervisory roles.

“On relatedly Hon. Minister, I  also wish to highlight some key findings of various board evaluations at the fund for your kind considerations as you appoint the 12th board. It has been recommended that board members should have appropriate technical skills to enable them effectively supervise management. given the nature of the fund business. Some of the key skills that have been highlighted as missing on the recent board are in the areas of investment and project management, information technology, real estate, risk management and accounting and financial management. The evaluations have also highlighted the need to address the gender disparity on the 11th and previous boards”. reads Agnes Tibayeita Isharaza’s letter.

Ms Isharaza is the Corporation Secretary of NSSF.

Those that have served their first term and are eligible for  reappointment are Bamwesigye Fred, the deputy managing director of civil aviation authority also representing employers and Dr. Isaac Magoola, the head of department business administration at Makerere University business school, also representing workers and Aggrey Kibenge Permanent government representative and Secretary Ministry of Labour. The other person is the Richard Byarugaba NSSF Managing Director.

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Vulnerable Jinja artists given food aid

By
Trevor S Baleke
-

 

 

Local Musicians and Comedians based in Jinja City  have received food aid in order to enable them to live in comfort during this on-going lockdown due to #Covid-19 pandemic.

Led by their leaders who included Haruna Walusimbi of Nile Beat Entertainment group, Top. K, Sandra Sanja and Saddat, the local singers received food aid from Busoga Kingdom’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Owek. Machora Joan Kitto at an event held along Gabula road in the city centre.

Owek. Machora said the food she donated to musicians was part of Ten tons of maize flour that she lobbied from her Dutch friends and individual Ugandans who included Mariam Naiwumbwe, a lecturer at Kampala University Jinja branch and Viveka Buguta a Jinja based Indian businessman, which she distributed to vulnerable people affected in the lockdown.

While handing over the food aid, Owek. Machora urged musicians not to rely on one feed alone, such as music but also engage into agriculture and other side profitable businesses that will help sustain them like in times of lockdown.

Owek. Machora also urged the business community in Jinja to extend support to vulnerable people in communities who were affected by the lockdown which was partially eased.

From Gabula road in Jinja City, Owek. Machora proceeded to Nakabango, Namulesa and Wakitaka villages where she distributed food to elderly women and widows.

Walusimbi was thankful to Busoga Kingdom through Owek. Machora for the food donation towards vulnerable musicians and entertainers.

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Rosebud acquire Fair Trade Certificate as it gets international accreditation

By
Simon Kabayo
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Mr Rajiv handing over a mattresses to Rosebud workers.

Rosebud flower farm has been has acquired Fairtrade Certificate making it international accredit to sell its flowers across the world

The development was revealed by Ruparelia Group Managing Director Rajiv Ruparelia while giving out over 2000 mattresses to farmworkers in the 10 villages surrounding the flower farm in Namulanda, Wakiso district.

“We now have international certification meaning Uganda now exports quality flowers to major markets. We have also attained fair trade standards which means we sell at good values which benefits the country and our workforce” Mr Rajiv Ruparelia said.

The Fairtrade Certificates accreditation  means Rosebud can sell its products in all international markets making the flowers too competitive on the world market.

Rosebud is owned by East Africa’s richman Sudhir Ruparelia and exports over 150 flowers annually.

Rajiv says that Rosebud  will expand and this will increase revenue for the country and create more jobs for Ugandan youth and women.

“The market abroad is very big. Even if we increase the acreage of our farms we will not satisfy the entire market. This means we need to increase productivity using good farm practices that we have used for many years. If you work hard we shall all benefit as a family”, Rajiv said as he called for unity and hard work emphasizing the need to amicably address any disagreements that may arise in the course of executing their work.

He added “We are a family and trust me your interest is our interest too. We are all in this together to ensure your livelihoods are improved…That you can take your children to school and have a good life. So let’s work hard together to achieve together,” he implored them.

In 2000, Rosebud farmland was only 13 hectares but has now grown to over 60 hectares under greenhouses and employing over 1,500 staff.

 

 

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Blogger Lumbuye deported back to Uganda

By
Our Reporter
-
Lumbuye

Uganda’s currently most wanted Blogger, Fred Lumbuye is on the plane tonight being deported Uganda. A plane aboard Lumbuye is expected to touch Entebe International airport Saturday morning.

Foreign Affairs minister, Okello Oryem confirmed during a press conference at the Ministry this Friday that the blogger arrested in Turkey will immediately be picked by the police for custody on arrival.

“Lumbuye will be in Uganda tomorrow morning. On arrival he will be put in custody and later brought to book for inciting sectarianism using social media.,” the minister said.

He said Lumbuye was together with several other Ugandans arrested by Turkish authorities on several offenses committed there.

“Nobody is above the law, including me. Lumbuye and his friends will have to pay the price,” said the minister.

Lumbuye, an ardent opposition NUP sympathizer made a name for himself on social media platforms especially Facebook and YouTube by making live stream controversial comments on Ugandan politics and authorities.

Last month, Ugandan security operatives said Lumbuye and several bloggers who are based in Europe were behind the social media rumours that announced President Museveni dead.

Later on, at the swearing in ceremony of the last batch of ministers, President Museveni directed the security agencies to hunt for whoever was circulating the false rumour alleging he was dead.

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Olympics 2020: Joshua Cheptegei wins men’s 5,000m gold

By
Our Reporter
-
Joshua Cheptegei

World record holder Joshua Cheptegei took the gold in the gruelling men’s 5000m final at the Tokyo Olympic Stadium, finishing ahead of Mohammed Ahmed of Canada, who took the silver, and Paul Chelimo of the United States who scooped the bronze.

Cheptegei, with a time of 12 minutes, 58.15, became the first Ugandan to win the event as he bagged the Olympic gold that has eluded him for so long.

Jacob Kiplimo of Uganda was in front of the pack early, but his countryman Cheptegei took over the front spot midway through the race and didn’t let go of it until a six-man pack pushed ahead of the rest to set-up the final push.

Cheptegei sealed the gold with a ferocious charge over the last section, with Ahmed nipping second.

This becomes Uganda’s fourth Gold medal at the Olympic Games after Peruth Chemutai’s win in the women’s 3000m steeplechase earlier this week, John Akii-Bua in 1972 and Stephen Kiprotich in 2012.

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Richard Byarugaba: We shall implement NSSF Amendment Bill 2019 if enacted into law

By
Geoffery Serugo
-
Richard Byarugaba.

The Managing Director of the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) Richard Byarugaba has said that the Fund is ready to implement the NSSF Amendment Act if the bill seeking to have its member’s access to midterm benefits is enacted into law.

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

If enacted into law, the mid-term access clause 24 A (2) OF NSSF Amendment bill 2019, will allow members who are 45 years and above and have contributed to the Fund for 10 years to access 20% of their benefits.

The commencement date will be set in the statutory instrument; supervision of the fund is by the Ministry of Finance, while the NSSF MD is a member of the Board of directors.

Speaking at Workers House Byarugaba said that the Fund advised its members that the president’s announcement does not mean that the NSSF Amendment bill 2019 has been enacted into law.

“Like other Bills, NSSF Amendment bill 2019 will be returned to parliament for further processing. The bill will be enacted into law after parliament has returned to the president and he has assented to it.”

“Upon its enactment, regulations to operationalise the midterm access clause will be developed and issued by the minister responsible for the Fund, at which point members will access their midterm benefits.”

He said the Fund has no control over this but remains committed to support the speedy enactment of the NSSF Amendment bill 2019 and thereafter the implementation of the NSSF Amendment Act.

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UNBS, PSFU in partnership to boost businesses during #Covid-19

By
Our Reporter
-
UNBS ED, Mr. David Livingstone Ebiru receives ICT equipment worth UGX200M from the COVID-19 Economic Recovery & Resilience Response Program (CERRRP) under PSFU in partnership with Master Card Foundation

The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) has received ICT equipment worth UGX 200 million from the Covid-19 Economic Recovery and Resilience Response Program (CERRRP) under the Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU) in partnership with the Master Card Foundation.

The equipment was received by the UNBS Executive Director, Mr. David Livingstone Ebiru, at UNBS Standards house in Bweyogerere.

Under CERRRP, UNBS is receiving Support for institutional enhancement of quality & standards management for business sectors involved in the manufacture, importation, and trade of products that are authorized by government as key in the fight against COVID 19.

This is in line with the UNBS mandate of strengthening the economy of Uganda by assuring the quality and export potential of locally manufactured products in regional and international markets.

Some of the activities undertaken by UNBS under the project include; Creating awareness among stakeholders of the existing standards in light of Covid-19 pandemic, Supporting product certification for 30 businesses mainly Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) run by women and youth.

Others are; Purchasing 200 standards and distributing them to beneficiaries, Stakeholder sensitization meetings for priority sectors (PPEs; Sanitizer; Maize & Beans) Stakeholder sensitization and technical training on Laboratory Recognition Scheme and  & ISO 17025 aimed at building capacity of private laboratories to test products.

Developing new standards in areas that are critical in the fight against COVID 19, Simplification and translation of existing standards into information, education and communication (IEC) materials and translating them to 3 languages (Ateso, Luganda and Swahili) and a lot more.

The support of 32 laptops and 4 field rugged laptops is therefore timely to further the Automation of UNBS Service to facilitate remote and online access by MSMES/Private Sector & Other stakeholders during the Covid-19 period.

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