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One shot dead as security arrests over Gen.Katumba shooting’

By
Our Reporter
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Gen. Lokech

Police and other security agencies have announced that they have significantly made through by arresting the plotters of failed assassination attempt on Works and Transport Minister Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala.

The Deputy Inspector General of Police, Maj. Gen. Paul Lokech announced that police and other security agencies had zeroed on the above individuals after intelligence pinned them.

“The Task Team actively investigating the double murder of Nanyonjo Brenda and Kayondo Haruna; and the attempted murder of General Katumba Wamala and his body guard Sgt. Koboyoit Khalid, has made a major breakthrough, and arrested 4 more suspects, highly connected to the double murder and attempted assassination which occurred on the 1.06.2021”. he said.

Gen Lokech said that the major breakthrough was as a result of the many leads, that were actively pursued by the task team, and led to the arrest of Muhammad Kagugube alias BAFUMOYA on  June 26, 2021.  Gen Lokech said that upon interrogation, Kagugube admitted to having participated in the violent attack, when he carried out surveillance on the movement of General Katumba Wamala from his home.  He immediately alerted the assault team, as soon as he spotted him and the direction he was taking.  After alerting the assault team, he went up to Bukoto near Oryx Petrol Station, where he waited for the two guns, but received only one and rode away with it.

“The suspect provided details, which led to the arrest of Walusimbi Kamada alias MUDINKA alias OGEMA, one of the riders who transported the shooters.  Upon his arrest, he led the team, in reconstructing the scene and clearly demonstrated how the double murder and attempted assassination took place.  And how he transported his shooter called KANAABE, through Kisota-Kisaasi-Bukoto upto Sebagala road, where he handed over the motorcycle to the shooter, Kanaabe.  A thorough search was conducted at all his known premises and valuable exhibits of a black helmet, 10 jackets, and one of the motorcycles used in the planning, preparation and execution of the plot recovered.  The suspect was taken through the footages of surveillance and execution, and positively identified himself while riding one of the shooters, KANAABE”.

The task team proceeded to Kawanda village and arrested KISAMBIRA SIRIMAN alias Mukwasi who received one of the killer weapons, from Lutwama Hussein alias Master, which he also later handed over to another member of the terror cell known as Mustafa Kawawa Ramadan alias AMIN alias MUSA.  Also recovered from him was a motorcycle, under registration number UEJ283L which was used in the plot.

The team followed up and arrested Mustafa Kawawa Ramadan alias AMIN alias MUSA, from his home in Maganjo “B” LC1, Seruwumba Sub-zone, Maganjo Parish, Nabweru Division.  Upon search at his home, various exhibits, including materials used in making improvised explosive devices were recovered, as well as Al-Qaeda training manuals on how to make and detonate bombs, military materials, secret communication codes, and several Western Union transfer receipts from foreign services.  Also recovered are two T-shits used during the surveillance of General Katumba.

The task team further tracked down and arrested Lubwama Hussein alias Kinene Christopher alias MASTER, a resident of Kabulengwa – Kyebando in Nansana Municipality; who was arrested along Nansana Nabweru road.  The suspect who was the team leader and head of the domestic terror cell, put up very stiff resistance to the extent of grabbing a gun from an officer, but was subdued by the task team. He later succumbed to the injuries.

He was the mastermind behind the plot, and the one who commanded all the other suspects before, during and after execution of the planned assassination.  He provided all logistics of guns, motorbikes, mobile phones and facilitation used in the surveillance and execution.

We have now established that the overall coordination of these domestic terror cells is by Sheikh ABUDIN HUBAIDA TAHEEL BUKENYA, an ex-ADF combatant who was given Amnesty, but has violated it.  He is reactivating the domestic terror cells and is the brain behind the recruitment of assailants like Muhammad Kagugube alias BAFUMOYA and Lubwama Hussein alias Kinene Christopher alias Mater.

The group has been behind the robberies of Nansana Cheap Store, Ntake Robbery and Murder and the robbery on the Supermarket at Mpererwe.  Their linkage to the earlier suspects, charged to court is that the killer gun, is linked to the murder of the late AIGP Andrew Felix Kawesi and Major Kiggundu.

“We  would like to confirm that this is a straight forward case of political violence and domestic terrorism.  The suspects are part of the team that trained in the North Kivu ADF camp and had started reactivating the domestic terror cells in the country. We want to applaud the Joint Task Teams for their breakthrough in cracking down the terror gang. We are now pursuing other members of the emerging domestic terror cell including the second shooter, KANAABE” he said in a statement.

As I conclude, I would like to reassure all Ugandans and visitors to the country, that we continue to monitor the bad elements and all terror hotspots to help prevent the re-emergence of such acts of domestic terror aimed at undermining the prevailing stability, peace and security in the country.

 

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Jacob Zuma Foundation denounces Constitutional Court ruling

By
Agencies
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President Jacob Zuma

The Jacob Zuma Foundation has “denounced” the constitutional court judgment this week, which sentences the former president to 15 months for contempt for failing to respect an earlier order compelling him to return to the Zondo commission of inquiry into state capture.

Foundation spokesperson Mzwanele Manyi said in a statement that it and Zuma were still studying the judgment, handed down by the apex court on Tuesday. The court gave Zuma five days to hand himself over to the police, failing which he will be arrested within three days.

Manyi said that although the commission had a “very important and invaluable task” in accordance with the constitution, the same constitution protected Zuma’s rights as a citizen.

Zuma “has never believed that he is above the law or the constitution” but had concerns about the “biased manner” in which the commission “has been turned into a slaughterhouse”.

Manyi said Zuma had followed appropriate legal channels and lodged an application for a review at the high court, but that Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo had “ignored” this and approached the constitutional court for the contempt order.

“In our view, that cannot be consistent with the substantive upholding of the rule of law that some only pay lip service to. Justice must be seen to be done.”

Manyi said Zuma had a “legitimate disagreement” with Zondo and that his refusal to comply with the order could not be characterised as wilful or in bad faith because he was “seeking to uphold the law”.

Zondo had laid criminal charges against Zuma, but had then gone on to preside over hearings involving him and his application for recusal.

“The common law maxim that a man may not be a judge in his own case unequivocally negates the power of Deputy Chief Justice Zondo to hear and decide a case in which he is an interested party,” Manyi said.

He went further to say the court had violated the principle of equality before the law, and that the judges had acted emotionally.

“The characterisation of our patron by the majority panel paints a picture of a very angry panel of judges. We concur with the view of other justices who said the constitutional court majority acted contrary to the rule of law,” Manyi said.

As a result, the foundation “denounces” the judgement as “judicially emotional and angry and not consistent with our constitution”.

It is not clear at this stage whether Zuma will abide by the order and hand himself over to police or force them to arrest him.

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Uganda Clays posts Shs 4.9b profits in 2020

By
Geoffery Serugo
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UCL board meeting.

Uganda Clays Limited has announced Shs4.9 billion profits 2020 which is a turnaround from a loss of Shs88 million in 2019. The profits were announced by the UCL Chairman, Board of Directors, Martin Kasekende, during the entity’s Annual General Meeting at Sheraton Hotel, Kampala.

According to the report, the Total Assets grew by 11 per cent; closing the year 2020 at Shs 68.8 billion from a value of Shs62.2 billion at the close of 2019.

Total Revenue reduced by 3 per cent from Shs30.7 billion in 2019 to Shs29.7 billion in 2020. The drop in revenue was attributed majorly to the impact of #Covid-19 on the business. The largest contributor to this revenue was the roofing tiles contributing 64 per cent. An increase was also realised in the other income from Shs845 million in 2019 to Shs1.8 billion in 2020 related to interest from investments in government securities.

The Gross Margin for the year improved compared to 46 per cent from 31 per cent in 2019. The total overheads dropped from Shs11.1 billion in 2019 to Shs9.3 billion in 2020 as a result of cost management measures put in place during the period.

Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortisation (EBITDA) improved by 240 per cent  to Shs9.7 billion from Shs2.8 billion in 2019.

The significant improvement in the performance of the entity resulted in a dividend pay-out of Shs1.2 billion out of the profits.

“Despite the #Covid-19 pandemic that has affected the economy and many businesses, UCL remained resilient, producing unprecedented results, having registered the highest profit after tax of Shs4.9 billion from a loss position the previous year,” Mr. Kasekende said upon declaring the results.”

“We believe this is not a one-off good performance and the company was well and truly on a trajectory of growth and profitability, and I would therefore like to congratulate Management upon delivering a remarkable performance in 2020 in spite of the challenging business environment.”  Kasekende added.

Reuben Tumwebaze, UCL Managing Director, re-echoed the entity’s resilience in the tough operating environment, “The #Covid-19 pandemic, whilst presenting challenges for the business and impacting the business, especially in the first half of the year, also acted as a catalyst for change, prompting us to take decisive action to protect and upgrade the business. This included a reassessment of our costs, ensuring we are fit for the future and in a strong position to capitalize on continued improvement in our markets.”

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Dr Mugoya appointed Regulatory Affairs Manager for Africa at Target Malaria

By
Our Reporter
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Dr. Charles Mugoya giving a presentation at a past event.

The Target Malaria consortium has  announce the appointment of Dr Charles Mugoya as its new Regulatory Affairs Manager for Africa.

Dr Mugoya is a well-known regulatory expert on the continent who previously served as Chairperson, National Biosafety Committee (NBC) at the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology (UNCST), a regulatory institution for biosafety matters. He was leading and overseeing regulatory processes for biosafety and has contributed to the development of regulatory processes for contained use and confined field trials for genetically modified crops and insect vectors. He had been a UNCST member for the past twenty years.

“Dr Mugoya will be a tremendous asset to the Target Malaria project and has my highest recommendation” noted Dr. Martin Ongol, Executive Secretary of the UNCST.

In his new role, Dr Mugoya will be part of Target Malaria’s Regulatory Affairs Team responsible for directly supporting African partner teams, as well as the global project team, in navigating the evolving regulatory and policy landscape in Africa. Dr Mugoya was selected as part of a competitive and open recruitment process. “

Dr Mugoya is going to be a great addition to the Target Malaria team. Our goal is to develop innovative solutions for fighting malaria in Africa, and, to do so, we are collaborating with top African experts to make sure our work is co-developed by Africans, for Africans”, stated Prof. Austin Burt, Principal Investigator of Target Malaria.

Dr Mugoya brings 28 years of experience in research and development in Agriculture, Environment, Biotechnology, Biosafety, Biopolicy and Biosecurity. His background in designing and implementing national, regional and international research and development projects will be an asset for Target Malaria and its stakeholders as the project makes progress along its step-by-step development pathway.

Before joining UNCST, Dr Mugoya was Program Manager at the Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA). For 10 years he ran the Agro-biodiversity and Biotechnology Program. This program was established to build capacity in biotechnology in eleven countries of the Eastern, Central African region.

 

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Express declared 2020/21 Uganda Premier League champions

By
Our Reporter
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Kiryowa Kiwanuka - chairman Express FC.
Express FC have been declared the 2020/21 Uganda Premier League champions, FUFA has announced.
“The FUFA Emergency Executive Committee has on Tuesday 29th June 2021 taken the decision to end the 2020/21 StarTimes Uganda Premier League based on Article 18, Section 1, Sub-section C & D of the FUFA Competition rules,” reads a statement from FUFA.
With the country currently under  lockdown for 42 days and the uncertainty of sports activities including football to resume earlier, FUFA has applied the 75 per cent rule which was also used last season.
“Where at least one club has played more than 75 per cent of the league games, the following formula shall be used by TOC (Terms of Conditions) to determine the league positions,” the FUFA rule states.
This means that Express FC who were top of the table on 58 points are declared Champions.
This is their seventh league title and their first since 2011/12 season.
They will represent Uganda in next season’s CAF Champions League.
Also, Kyetume joins MYDA FC and Kitara FC to be relegated to the FUFA Big League.
URA FC who were second on the log, one point behind Express FC will represent Uganda in the CAF Confederation Cup.
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IMF approve Shs3.5t loan to support post #Covid-19 recovery in Uganda

By
Our Reporter
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Finance Minister, Matia Kasaija who is worried of the sinking economy.

 

 

The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund says they have approved US$1 billion  about (Shs3.5t)to support the post #Covid-19 recovery and which the authorities’ plan to increase households’ incomes and inclusive growth in Uganda.
Approval of the credit facility arrangement enables immediate disbursement of about US$258 million, usable for budget support. This follows Fund emergency support to Uganda under the Rapid Credit Facility (RCF) in May 2020 of SDR361 million (100 percent of quota or US$491.5 million.
Uganda’s economy was hit hard by the #Covid-19 crisis. Decade-long gains in poverty reduction were reversed, fiscal balances have deteriorated, and pressures on external buffers have intensified. A mild recovery is underway in some sectors, with economic growth in FY 21/22 expected to reach 4.3 per cent before returning to pre-pandemic rates of 6-7 percent in the medium term. The outlook remains highly uncertain, with risks tilted to the downside, including from a resurgence of tighter containment measures linked to higher #Covid-19 positivity rates.
The authorities’ program, enshrined in the third National Development Plan (NDPIII), is built around the principles of private sector-led inclusive growth and public sector reforms to strengthen governance and transparency. It envisages multi-year fiscal consolidation while increasing priority and high-quality infrastructure spending. The program will include reforms to increase domestic revenue, foster public sector efficiency and strengthen governance while preparing the ground for sound management of oil revenues. The program will strengthen the monetary policy and financial sectors frameworks while fostering development, including through financial inclusion.
Uganda’s economy has been severely impacted by the #Covid-19 global pandemic, which reversed decade-long gains in poverty alleviation and opened up fiscal and external financing gaps. The authorities’ program, supported by a new arrangement under the Extended Credit Facility, focuses on keeping public debt on a sustainable path while improving the composition of spending and advancing structural reforms to create space to finance private investment, foster growth and reduce poverty.
“Fiscal consolidation, appropriately based on both revenue and expenditure measures during the first year of the authorities’ program, seeks to stabilize the public debt ratio while increasing social spending, including for vaccines. The implementation of the authorities’ Domestic Revenue Mobilization Strategy, better management of public investment, control of domestic arrears and advances in cash management will support the fiscal strategy.” IMF said
The Fund noted that Prudent debt management is important to reduce vulnerabilities, particularly given Uganda’s moderate risk of debt distress. Every effort should continue to be made to seek concessional financing and pursue relief under the Debt Service Suspension Initiative. Contingency plans put in place would help mitigate risks.
“An accommodative monetary policy stance remains appropriate and the exchange rate should continue to function as a shock absorber. Efforts to increase central bank independence should also be sustained. Flexible use of banks’ capital buffers should be considered to address uncertainties surrounding the #Covid-19 pandemic. Close attention should be paid to minimizing financial stability risks, including through strict adherence to accounting and prudential standards, and modernizing the banking resolution and emergency liquidity assistance frameworks.” I’M FINE said
Advancing governance reforms remains crucial to support transparency and private sector development. The authorities have made progress in publishing information on audits and the use of #Covid-19 funds, but further work is necessary to enhance the AML/CFT framework and strengthen the accountability of high-level officials. Promoting human capital development and financial inclusion, including through wider credit bureau coverage and collateral requirements will further support the authorities’ inclusive growth agenda. Accelerating digitalization would enhance these efforts.

 

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Uganda Funeral Services proprietor succumbs to #Covid-19 at Airport enroute to Nairobi

By
Our Reporter
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RIP Ms Mukiibi

The Managing Director of Uganda Funeral Services Ms Regina Mukiibi has succumbed to #Covid-19 while in transit to Nairobi.

Ms Mukiibi died at Entebbe International Airport as the handling services where finalising her departure. “She was being flown to the Kenyan capital for better management”.

Ms Mukiibi has been a household name in funeral management ever since her and others  started UFS in 1996. It was the first of its kind in Uganda.

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Gov’t terminates licences for eight labour exporting companies

By
Our Reporter
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Members of the public ready for departure at Middle East Consultany.

Government has terminated operating licences for eight labour exporting companies.

The termination of their licences and permits come at the time when there have been complaints from youth who have been conned by managers of those companies without providing them the promised jobs.

The Ministry of Internal  through Immigration Directorate has released a list of eight companies which have completely lost licenses and some suspended.

The companies whose operating permits have been cancelled/ suspended are  Top Notch Recruitment Services (U) Limited, Fly International Jobs (u) Ltd and Sahara Recruitment Agency Limited, Al-Saud Agency Limited Kibuye, Salama Road, Middle East Consultants Limited – Plot 21/31 Tank Hill Road, Muyenga, Al-Saud Agency Limited Kibuye, Salama Road, The Eagles Supervision Limited – Plot 728, Mengo, Kampala, and Forbes Enterprises Limited, P.O Box 10924, Kiwatule, Kampala

Companies like Middles East Consultants has featured prominently in the previous scandals involving similar schemes but it always finds its way back to business.

However, a source at Ministry of Internal Affairs told Eagle Online some of the reasons they have recalled and cancelled the permits is due to extortion by managers of the companies in several dubious claims and advertising of non existing  jobs to con the job seeking members of the public.

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Court remands two suspects over Gen. Katumba’s assassination attempt

By
Geoffery Serugo
-
Works and Transport Minister, Gen. Katumba Wamala.
The Nakawa Chief Magistrate Dr. Douglas Singiza Karekona has remanded two suspects implicated in the gun down of Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala’s daughter and his driver Sgt Haruna Kasolo.
Appearing before court, Hussein Ismail Serubula and Yusuf Siraje Nyanzi were charged with two counts of murder contrary to section 188 and 189 of the Penal Code Act and attempted murder contrary to section 204 (A) of the Penal Code Act.
The suspects have subsequently been remanded to Kitalya prison until August 3, 2021.
Prosecution led by  Barbara Kyomugisha averred that on June  1, 2021 along Kisota road,  Kisasi Central zone, the two suspects and others at large attempted on Gen. Katumba Wamala’s life and murdered his daughter Brenda Nantongo Wamala and his driver.
Nyanzi 46 years, a Muganda by tribe and a herbalist, is a resident of Kyanja, Nakawa division. Serubula is a boda-boda Rider and a resident of Nakuwadde-Nakabugo- Bulenga, wakiso district.
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Selfishness in the world is bad but good, it wakes up Africans says Museveni at 1st African edition of World Health Summit in Munyonyo

By
Geoffery Serugo
-
President Museveni.

 

President Yoweri Museveni has said that the current unequal distribution of #Covid-19 vaccines in the world by the big powers is bad but again good for the sleeping African continent.

He said the Africans haven’t helped themselves but rather are waiting for the rest of the world to come to their rescue like it happened during the slave trade era.

“Selfishness in the world is bad but good, I like it because it wakes up Africans. It is a shame that the whole of the African continent is just asleep just waiting to be to be saved by others. If they don’t save us, we shall die like it happened with slave trade and how can this be? Slave trade went on for 400 years and these idiots chiefs were here just putting on monkey skins and so on looking like clowns” President Museveni said

Museveni said this while officiating at the first African edition of World Health Summit which kicked off this  at Speke Resort Hotel, Munyonyo.

The summit brings together experts from around the world and especially  many  African  countries  to discuss  diverse topics of great importance for global health and Africa in particular. The summit runs from today 27th to 30th  June 2021.

Due to surging cases of #Covid-19 pandemic in the country, the summit has been held virtually.  Keynote sessions, panel discussions and workshop will  be broadcast live on various social media platforms and televisions channels.

The panelist are scheduled to discuss #Covid-19 pandemic in Africa, stemming Non communicable diseases in low and middle income countries, Universal health coverage, global health security  and infectious diseases, advancing health technology for health in Africa And intersectoral  action for health.

Speaking about the summit,  Charles Ibingira, the international President of  World Health Summit 2021 and former Principal of College of Public Health at Makerere University said; “we are extremely delighted to be hosting the first ever first African edition of World Health Summit. with health professionals and other stakeholders in government and the private sector coming together. I am optimistic  that the meeting will stir us all to think better and work harder to achieve the sustainable Development Goals”

The World Health Summit Regional Meeting takes place every year in different parts of the world in addition to annual World Health Summit in Berlin and brings regional topics to the forefront. Each regional meeting is hosted by M8 Alliance member holding the world Health International presidency which rotates every year.

The M8 Alliance of Academic Health Summit. it is a growing network and consists of  30 members in 20 countries, including the Inter Academy partnership(IAP) which represents the national academies of medicine and science in 130 countries.

Makerere University has been M8 Alliance member since 2013 and is one of the oldest and most prestigious  center of learning in Africa. It is home to a staff of over 4,000 and more than 40,000 students.

world health summit is one of the world’s leading strategic forums for global health with participants onsite and online, 3,00 speakers from 100 nations and 50 sessions.

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