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Parliament marks 100 years of existence

By
Our Reporter
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Parliament of Uganda

Parliament today, 23 March 2021 commemorates100 years of its existence as the legislative arm of the government.

Speaker Rebecca Kadaga says that the evolution of the Legislature has witnessed tremendous growth in mandate, size and impact.

“The Legislative Council (LEGCO) at inception had seven unelected Members; three were ex-officios, three were nominated and an Indian who was not at the sitting then.  All members were Europeans and it was chaired by the then Governor, Sir Robert Croyndon. The Africans who included the Kabaka and his Lukiiko were just in attendance and not part of the LEGCO,” she said.

Kadaga who was addressing the media on the milestone on Monday, 22 March 2021 added that, Africans were not represented but progressively Ugandans have been able to take charge of their affairs.

“Currently, the 10th Parliament has 459 Members as compared to the seven Members of the LEGCO in 1921. We now have a widened mandate whose roles include representation, legislation, oversight and appropriation, she said adding that, ‘Parliament has become more independent and is composed of various interest groups and is now fully in the hands of Ugandans’.

Kadaga said that Parliament shelved plans to have a weeklong celebration of the 100 years due to the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic.

“We would have loved to have a centenary celebration.  However, because of the situation in the country we cannot gather many people,” she added.

The Speaker said that the House will consider a commemorative motion on the centennial milestone and hold a photo exhibition depicting the legislature over the years.

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Police officer, thugs arrested in panga wielding crime

By
Our Reporter
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Handcuffs

The Uganda Police Crime Intelligence Directorate-CID has arrested a police officer and other thugs for allegedly taking part in panga wielding crime.

According to the Kampala Metropolitan Police Deputy Spokesperson Luke Owoyesigyire, on the February 17, 2021, an attempted robbery case was reported to a police station in Lower Nsooba in Mulago Parish, Kampala City.

The complainant said a group of six thugs armed with machetes climbed over the fence of Godfrey Saka and gained access into the house.

The thugs cut and injured two of the occupants; Kevin Uwera, the wife to Mr Saka and Batre Benard, the wife to the security guard. It is alleged that the thugs’ intention was to rob money. The Directorate of Crime Intelligence embarked on an investigation.

It was established that the scheme to rob Mr Saka was orchestrated by Police Constable Joshua Mugoya, attached to Kasangati Police Station. Constable Mugoya got a tip from Moses Ruhindi, who is a friend to another suspect identified as Muzeyi. Muzeeyi is a friend to Mr Saka the victim .

Muzeeyi sold a robbery idea of Mr Saka, whom he suspected to be hiding billions of shillings in the house, to his friend Ruhindi. Ruhindi would later share it with Constable Mugoya.

Investigations have shown that Constable Mugoya would later get in touch with Ali Galiwango aka Kapafu, Patrick Jjuuko and others criminals. Ruhindi, Mugoya and Muzeeyi later met at a bar in Kasangati to plan the robbery and later carried out the attack.

Upon getting the details how the robbery was hatched, Crime Intelligence arrested the suspects except Hakim Wasswa, who is still on the run. All the suspects in custody including the police officer have admitted to participating in the crime.

“Searches have been conducted at the homes of the suspects where machetes, a toy pistol and other tools suspected to have been used in the robberies were recovered,” Luke Owoyesigyire said.

Police are processing their criminal files with a view of charging them in court. Their file has been forwarded to the office of the DPP for perusal and probably sanctioning it.

It should be noted that the police is investigating a couple of other crimes that have in the past happened in areas of Kasangati and Kawempe where homes have been attacked in the similar manner.

“The police will not tolerate any criminal acts among its officers and if the evidence is sufficient enough on any officer, we won’t hesitate to charge in courts of law and also dismiss the officers if found guilty.”

Owoyesigyire said investigations and the hunt for one more suspect Wasswa are still ongoing and called upon the public to remain vigilant and report to police any criminal activities in their area.

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DCJ Richard Buteera tips Judicial officers on Climate Justice

By
Our Reporter
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A group photo after the Annual Training on Climate Justice at Mestil Hotel

The Deputy Chief Justice, Richard Buteera, has encouraged Judicial Officers to exploit all avenues available to widen their knowledge about climate justice for efficiency and effective handling of related cases.

He made these remarks while delivering a keynote speech at the Third Annual Training on Climate Justice held at Mestil hotel.

The two-day event was organized by the Judicial Training Institute in partnership with Greenwatch under the theme: Understanding climate change and exploring the role of the Judiciary in implementing climate Justice.

Addressing a cross-section of Judicial Officers, the DCJ noted that climate change is one of the greatest challenges affecting the world today.

He emphasized the need for continuous judicial instruction. “Continuous judicial training and education is an important tool in ensuring good governance and strengthening the rule of law. With better understanding and knowledge of the concepts of climate change and climate justice, enforcement of climate laws, policies, rules and regulations will be made easier for the courts.”

Justice Buteera commended Greenwatch for taking the lead in seeking judicial redress in climate-related disputes as well for playing their role in several cases.

The Director/Legal counsel of Greenwatch, Ms Samantha Atukunda K. Mwesigwa, explained that the training’s major objective was to ensure that Environmental Law principles are incorporated in government policies and legislation. Adding that their goal was to train all justice actors in Environmental Law.

Justice Damalie N. Lwanga, the ED JTI, emphasized that great effort must be made to prevent or mitigate climate change’s adverse impact on Ugandans’ livelihood.

“I hope that this training will promote awareness of International Law policies and climate change initiatives among Judicial Officers and also enable courts to positively adjudicate climate justice matters and provide tools for continuous learning and reference even after this workshop,” she said.

Justice Lwanga commended Environmental Law Alliance (ELAW) and True Cost Initiative to fund the training and Greenwatch and the JTI staff for organising the same.

A presentation was made on the evolution of Climate legislation, Climate litigation as a tool to promote Climate Justice: distinguishing climate litigation in the global North and the global south,

Other topics to be discussed include; the relevance of climate litigation in holding governments accountable for the effects of climate change, a Kenyan perspective, strengthening collaborative efforts of the key stakeholders in advancing climate Justice in Uganda and impacts of extreme weather conditions on communities and resultant legal consequences.

The key facilitators are Court of Appeal’s Justice Kenneth Kakuru, Dr Patrick Byakagaba, Dr Peter Mutesasira, Ms Emily Kinama and Mr Gawaya Tegule. The others are Mr Bob Natifu, Ms Sarah Naigaga, Mr Moses Muhumuza and Ms Susan Nadundu.

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Muhammad Segirinya arrested

By
Our Reporter
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Segirinya arrested

Police have arrested Kawempe North MP-elect Muhammad Segirinya and others for leading an unlawful peaceful protest demanding for the release of National Unity Platform-NUP members.

Ssegirinya and others arrived at Mini price in Kampala, holding plycards bearing messages demanding the release of the detained party supporters.

Police led by the OC Mini Price ASP, Flavia Musiimenta, intercepted them and arrested them. They are currently held at the Central Police station.

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Republic of Congo opposition candidate Kolelas dies of #Covid-19

By
Agencies
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Guy-Brice Parfait Kolelas

The leading opposition presidential candidate in Congo-Brazzaville has died hours after polls closed after becoming seriously ill with Covid-19.

Guy-Brice Parfait Kolelas died in a medical plane as he was being evacuated to France, his campaign director said.

Hours earlier the 61-year-old had appeared in a video shared on social media, where he removed his oxygen mask and told his supporters that he was “fighting death”.

He urged them to vote in Sunday’s poll.

The electoral law doesn’t annul the election if one of the candidates dies.

Mr Kolelas, who was diabetic, was one of six candidates running against President Sassou Nguesso, 77, who has been in power since 1979, except for a five-year period after losing elections in 1992.

Congo-Brazzavile has officially recorded more than 9,000 cases of Covid and 130 deaths.

Mr Kolelas had missed his final campaign event on Friday after saying a day earlier that he feared he had malaria, the Associated Press news agency reports.

He was admitted to a private hospital in the capital, Brazzaville, and it was later confirmed that he had Covid-19.

Speaking in French from his hospital bed, Mr Kolelas said: “My dear compatriots, I am in trouble. I am fighting death. However, I ask you to stand up and vote for change. I would not have fought for nothing.”

The head of the government’s Covid-19 response team, Elira Dokekias, said that Mr Kolelas’ condition had been serious on Saturday, the Associated Press reports.

After casting his ballot in the capital, Mr Sassou Nguesso wished Mr Kolelas a swift recovery.

A large crowd gathered to catch a glimpse of the president, with many people not wearing masks and failing to adhere to social distancing rules.

Mr Sasou Nguessou beat Mr Kolelas in the last election in 2016, obtaining 60% of the vote compared with his rival’s 15%.

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Aucho Khalid apologizes following suspension from Cranes camp for misconduct

By
Our Reporter
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Aucho Khalid

Uganda Cranes defensive midfielder Khalid Aucho was dismissed from the Camp for failure to adhere to the National team Code of Conduct set by FUFA.

The Cranes are preparing for two crucial 2022 AFCON Qualifiers against Burkina Faso on Wednesday 24 March in at St. Mary’s stadium in Kitende and away to Malawi on Monday 29 March.

It is said that on arrival, Aucho refused to board the official means of transport organised to pick him from Entebbe International Airport to the team camp at Cranes Paradise Hotel-Kisasi.

The player’s club Misr El Makkasa and Egypt Football Association were duly informed about the decision and a return air ticket was issued to him for his travel back to Egypt.

However Aucho has issued a statement of apology over the incident saying; “Am remorseful and I take full responsibility for the mistakes that led to my suspension from the national team camp for the forthcoming AFCON qualifiers against Burkina Faso and Malawi.”

“I regret my actions and am ready to put this chapter behind me as it’s a dream to represent my country. To FUFA, fellow players, fans, family and friends; I can only say I’m sorry.”

“I also accept the fact that many of you will not believe my aplogy or anything that I say at this point but this is my only official statement and it’s from the bottom of my heart. I wish the Uganda cranes success in the two encounters and I hope for the best. See you soon.”

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Public officers to face punitive action over wealth declaration

By
Our Reporter
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MPs in one of the sittings

Parliament has passed the Leadership Code (Amendment) Bill, 2020 that seeks to impose punitive measures on leaders and public officers who do not declare their wealth or who make false declarations.

The Bill requires a public officer to, within three months of starting work in the public service, declare his or her assets, incomes and liabilities to the Inspector General of Government (IGG). Thereafter, the declaration is every five years.

It also proposes to penalise a leader who does not, without justifiable cause, comply with the request within 60 days to a warning or caution, dismissal or vacation of office.

A person who does not file a declaration is liable to a fine not exceeding 20 currency points per month for the initial three months of non-submission of a declaration. The currency points rise to 40 per month for the next two months and then withholding of emoluments.

Some of the penalties for breach of the Code, include forfeiture of the monetary equivalent of the excess or undeclared property to the government where a person makes false declarations.

The Bill seeks to amend the Leadership Code Act, 2002 No.17 to clarify what constitutes interest in property by a leader and extend the jurisdiction of the Leadership Code Tribunal to complaints made by any person aggrieved by the decision of the IGG under section 7(7) of the Code.

The decisions of the Tribunal, which is mandated to hear and adjudicate breaches of the Leadership Code of conduct, the Bill proposes, are binding on the President thereby fettering his discretion in disciplining his appointees.

In 2017, Parliament passed the Leadership Code (Amendment) Act, 2017 which established the Leadership Code Tribunal.

According to the Chairperson of the Committee on Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Hon. Jacob Oboth, various loopholes have been identified in the Act that will hinder the effectiveness of the Leadership Code Tribunal in enforcing the Leadership Code of Conduct.

“Prior to the amendment of the Act, penalties for breach of the Code were provided for in section 35 of the Act. Each of the prescribed penalties corresponded with a particular section regarding breach of the law.”

“When the provisions were amended and substituted, there was no consequential amendment of section 35 to correspond with the substituted provisions. Unless this is amended, it will jeopardise the enforcement of the Act since it is untenable to enforce the law as is without breaches corresponding penalties,” reads the committee report.

Hon. Oboth presented the committee report to the House in a sitting on Thursday, 18 March 2021 chaired by Speaker Rebecca Kadaga.

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Private companies boost national effort to plant 40 million trees

By
Geoffery Serugo
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Private companies boost national effort to plant 40 million trees

The Ministry of Water and Environment in partnership with Uganda Breweries Limited, American Tower Corporation (ATC) Uganda, Stanbic Bank Uganda and MTN Foundation has for the second year running announced a Running out of Trees (ROOT) Initiative which targets to plant 40 million trees countrywide.

The tree planting drive, targeted at the restoration of the indigenous tree and fruit species across the entire landscapes of Uganda will take place on May 17th on the National Tree Planting Day.

The Ministry of Water and Environment launched a National Tree Planting Campaign in 2020 built around engaging local stakeholders in attaining national restoration goals with the aim to rally Ugandans into action through increased public awareness and participation, especially the private sector in the conservation and protection of indigenous tree species to address ongoing loss and conversion of primary and secondary natural forest.

The campaign approach also involves adopting restoration strategies to fit local social, economic and ecological contexts and a wide range of eligible technical strategies for restoring a mosaic canopy of trees on the national landscape. In addition, we aim at fast tracking national restoration goals and commitments that include but not limited to;

The pledge to restore 2.5million hectares of degraded landscapes by 2030 under the Bonn Challenge. Vision 2040 aimed at restoring forest cover of total land area to 24%. Uganda’s Green Growth Strategy

Uganda’s Nationally Determined Contributions to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

According to The Minister of Water and Environment, Sam Cheptoris, 65% of forest degradation takes place on private land and on several occasions the land owners choose land use change from forestry to agriculture, industry or settlement over biodiversity conservation. “Current national deforestation rates stand at 2% annually with an average of 122,000 hectares lost every year yet 6% of the GDP of Uganda and more than 90% of the population depends directly on forest for their energy needs.  It is imperative therefore that we restore these forests faster than they are being degraded by human activity”

The ROOT Campaign was launched in February 2020 as a 5-year project geared towards soliciting commitments from the private sector to support Government’s initiative to restore forest cover. Last year, the campaign managed to attract the support of various corporate companies who came together and supported financially and also by physically taking part in a relay run that started in Kampala and ended in Gulu. This year, the corporate companies joining Uganda Breweries Limited include, Stanbic Bank Uganda, ATC Uganda and the MTN Foundation.

Speaking at the launch of this year’s ROOT, Alvin Mbugua, the Managing Director of Uganda Breweries Limited affirmed the company’s continued support to the Ministry of Water and Environment. “The Ministry’s bid to restore forest cover and reduce on the country’s Green House Emissions ties well with UBL’s Spirit of Progress which is our 10-year action plan to help create a more sustainable world. We do this by playing a significant part in preserving the natural resources on which we all depend by regenerating and restoring the landscapes and resources we rely on.” he said.

Anne Juuko the CEO of Stanbic Bank, another annual sponsor of the event reiterated the importance of the private sector coming together to play a role in this important initiative “Our world is changing and we as corporate companies and our customers are completely dependent on this changing world. It is our shared responsibility as companies who benefit a lot from it, to protect it, to nurture it and as evidenced by the current need, to replenish it. On behalf of all the corporate sponsors, I would like to say that we take this responsibility seriously and that is why every year we do what we can to pitch in to Government efforts on environmental protection”, she said.

The other main sponsors of the event ATC Uganda attributed their participation in the event to being a key corporate responsibility purpose for the company, saying “The environment is one of ATC’s five core pillars of corporate responsibility. As a key player in the telecommunications industry, we strive to conduct our operations in an environmentally friendly manner. The ROOTS initiative therefore provides a unique platform for us to contribute towards greening our environment and contributing towards the national reforestation effort” concluded CEO Michael Magambo.

As part of the launch activities this year, the organizers have included a mechanic for the public to participate through a mobile phone app called ROOTs. Using this app, participants will “run” by downloading the app and purchasing a tree seedling at Ush 1,500 each using MTN/Airtel/Africel Mobile Money, Visa or Mastercard. What this means is that the Tree Planting this year will mainly be a virtual exercise where the 40 Million will be achieved through Virtual donations on the day but the actual physical planting of trees will happen over a period of 3 months.

Between March 21st and the end of May, a team from Tree Adoption Uganda which has been designated by the Ministry will support the planting and mapping the seedlings in the designated bulk planting areas.

The Running out of Trees initiative is an annual initiative that will be held over a 5-year period to end in 2025 with the planting of over 200 million Trees and sequester an estimated 15 million tons of carbon.

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BUKOTO LIVING: Rajiv and Sheena make their entry into real estate

By
Our Reporter
-

 

There is no doubt that Rajiv and Sheena Ruparelia are following into their father’s footsteps as far as business is concerned.

Both Rajiv and his elder sister are managers of companies under the Ruparelia Group but that hasn’t deterred them from venturing into their ambitions. The two are daughter and son to East Africa’s richest man, Sudhir Ruparelia.

The two yesterday unveiled Bukoto Living to the public.Bukoto Living, a 9-floor condominium homes project.

Bukoto Living situated at Zimbiziwome zone Bukoto just next to former Minister Jaberi Bidandi Ssali’s home, Bukoto Living has 27 homes in a 2-3-4- and 5-bedroom configuration.

The developers of the project Sheena and Rajiv Ruparelia said this is the first of its kind lifestyle property in Uganda with Swimming pool,Rooftop bar, Terrace,Restaurant and a recreational with a Luxury Living.

Bukoto Living is likely to change the environs of Bukoto and Ntinda areas given that area is fast turning into commercial.

 

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New Vision published fake Covid fund recipients’ list & has complicated our relations with borrowers – UDB ED

By
Our Reporter
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CEO of Uganda Development Bank, Patricia Ojangole.

The Executive Director for Uganda Development Bank (UDB) Patricia Ojangole has said that the list that the state-owned New Vision published on Thursday was fake, misleading, and anomalous and should be ignored by all.

Under the cover headline “Gov’t Pays Shs443bn in Covid Bailout”, the newspaper used pages 5 and 6 to publish what it erroneously claimed was the list of the companies that had been advanced the money under the Covid-19 bailout which Parliament passed to support strategically very important businesses that were fatally crippled by the Coronavirus-related constraints.

In the said story, a total of 56 companies were listed and falsely portrayed to have shared Shs443,764,632,550 as government support channeled through Ojangole’s UDB. However, Patricia Ojangole said the New Vision story was nothing but total misrepresentation.

“There was talk about that bailout thing but the truth is as UDB, we have never got that money to have disbursed it to any company.  What is contained in that list are businesses which went through normal procedures, applied and got loans from UDB and it had nothing to do with Covid-19 bailout. That misreporting has caused us a lot of complications with our clients who took out money approved through the normal channels without being beneficiaries of the so-called Covid-19 bailout,” Patricia told Mulengera News in an interview on Friday adding that the Bank will on Monday come out with a comprehensive statement to rebut the false impression.

Ojangole says that some of the companies on the list applied for and had their loans normally approved from UDB long before even the Coronavirus and the resultant lockdown had come into existence. “What they published is nothing but a list of our normal borrowers who have nothing to do with the Covid-19 bailout money,” she clarified imploring the state-owned media, which is supposed to set standards for the rest of the industry, to desist from sensational reporting.

The proposed bailout package for stressed businesses is something the President has always talked about in his televised addresses but UDB has never been availed with such money to effect the President’s offer to the businesses as was implied by the New Vision story.

Ojangole clarified that at the instigation of government, they have been very deliberate in their loans’ disbursement by prioritizing essential businesses like those involved in food production, production for exports and manufacturing of sanitizers which at some point were very essential to the country’s overall Covid-19 response. That this isn’t the same as disbursing out Covid-19 bailout funds that the News Vision referred to in their Thursday reporting.

A number of companies and businesses are so aggrieved with the misreporting by the New Vision and they have already instructed their lawyers to consider filing a multiplicity of suits against UDB and the newspaper according to Mulengera News. That contrary to best practice rules, the impugned publication by New Vision wasn’t only false but also breached the confidentiality requirements between the bank and its customers (borrowers).

Some of the businesses that were published and erroneously portrayed as having benefited from the GoU Covid-19 bailout fund (which Ojangole says has never been availed to UDB) are already being targeted for unjustified political demonization with social media users falsely portraying them as regime stooges who are being favored ahead of other equally struggling businesses.

Such demonization is pushing many of the affected businesses and companies to defend themselves against such misrepresentation by referring the matter to court. The impugned Thursday story is an outrageous misrepresentation which both UDB and New Vision must urgently correct to deescalate the detriment the same has caused the companies or businesses that have improperly been named and portrayed as beneficiaries of a nonexistent GoU covid19 bailout package.

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