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Joshua Cheptegei named Uganda’s new tourism ambassador

By
Our Reporter
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Cheptegei is new tourism ambassador

Long-distance runner and world champion Joshua Cheptegei has today been officially named as Uganda’s new tourism ambassador.

While speaking during the unveiling, Cheptegei said; “I am delighted to be here this morning to express solidarity with all the players in Uganda’s tourism industry, as they seek to rebuild an industry that has been nearly destroyed by the #Covid-19 pandemic. I am deeply grateful to the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) for having chosen me for this huge responsibility, to be my country’s Tourism Ambassador.”

“I look forward to sharing my Ugandan story to the rest of the world. In the same breath, I wish to call upon every Ugandan, especially those in the diaspora to make it a point to visit and discover more about this our country.”

According to Uganda Tourism Board-UTB CEO, Lilly Ajarova, this is a mutually beneficial partnership where UTB shall collaborate with Cheptegei and provide support towards his athletics activities at both the domestic and international level and in turn, earn his support and access to his platforms to promote brand destination Uganda.

Cheptegei will consequently use his image in photos, videos and other promotional materials as deemed fit by the Uganda Tourism Board.

“World over, there are mixed signals about the tourism industry’s recovery in this year. In Uganda we expect regional and intra-African visitors to pick up in the second half of 2021,” Ajarova added.

In 2020, at a road race in Monaco, Cheptegei set a new world road 5 km record of 12:51, breaking through the event’s 13-minute barrier, taking 9 seconds from the previous best time of 13:00, set by Kenya’s Sammy Kipketer in 2000.

In August 2020, at the Monaco Diamond League meet, he set a new 5000 metres world record of 12:35.36, breaking Kenenisa Bekele’s 16-year-old world record of 12:37.35 set in Hengelo and On 7 October 2020, in Valencia, he set a world record time of 26:11.00 in the 10000 meters, which again improved on Kenenisa Bekele’s 15-year-old record by more than 6 seconds.

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Police warns of fraudsters issuing fake Swedish visas

By
Our Reporter
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Passports

The Uganda Police has warned the public about fraudsters who are issuing fake visas to Sweden.

According to Twiine Charles, the CID Spokesperson, the said fraudsters operate in such a way that they obtain money from the victims and in turn promise to process and issue them with Swedish Visas and work permits.

“The general public is hereby informed that there is a group of fraudsters issuing fake Swedish Visas to unsuspecting members of the public,” the statement reads in part

“The said fraudsters operate in such a way that they obtain money from the victims and in turn promise to process and issue them with Swedish Visas and work permits.”

According to Police, they have received a number of complaints from various victims, and have commenced investigations into the matter.

“Police has so far received a number of complaints from various victims, and we have commenced investigations into the matter under CID headquarters GEF 1180/2020.”

“The culprits have been identified, profiled and efforts are underway to ensure they are arrested and brought to book,” Twiine Charles says in a statement.

“We appeal to the public to be on a look out and report any person suspected to be involved in such fraudelent tractions to CID headquarters.”

“We also appeal to members of the Public to seek consular services from the Embassies or official designated places,” Twiine said.

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Parliament defers approval of Shs292 billion supplementary budget

By
Our Reporter
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Parliament of Uganda

Parliament has deferred the approval of a supplementary funding for the financial year 2020/21 of shs292 billion, after it emerged that a request of shs12 billion for compensation of individuals affected by land evictions in Bunyoro was made without the knowledge of the Uganda Land Commission.

Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga who chaired plenary sitting on 09 February 2021 to consider the report of the Budget Committee on the supplementary budget deferred the approval after Hon. Gaffa Mbwatekemwa (NRM, Kasambya County) informed the House that he had evidence that the Land Commission was not consulted before the supplementary request was made.

“I want the Minister to tell this House who initiates a supplementary. Within few minutes, I will bring a document from the Uganda Land Commission. They are protesting this supplementary because they are not aware of the people to be compensated in Bunyoro,” he said.

Mbwatekamwa also questioned the criteria used to identify the beneficiaries of compensations saying that many individuals have been left out.

Mukono South MP, Hon. Johnson Muyanja Senyonga read the letter by the Chairperson of the Uganda Land Commission, Hon Beatrice Byenkya which raised concern about the compensations.

“The Commission is not privy to this list and wants the Minister to be brought to order. I am kindly imploring you, Hon. Speaker and your office to unpack the money given to the Land Commission so that I can carry out the mandate,” read the letter in part.

Attempts by the Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Hon Beti Kamya to explain the matter and justify the need for the supplementary budget fell on deaf ears as MPs advised the Minister to discuss the budget with the Lands Commission.

“The Minister of Lands wrote to the Minister of Finance and brought all these matters to him and asked that funds should be provided for compensation of individuals in Bunyoro,” Kamya said adding that, “the letter was copied to the Uganda Land Commission three months ago and the Commission acting not in good faith did not raise the matter. The letter which has just been read is not even copied to the Minister of Finance and Lands.”

Hon. Elijah Okupa (FDC, Kasilo County) raised a point of procedure, asking the Minister and the Lands Commission to reconcile their positions.

“I think this is turning ugly where we are seeing uncoordinated information. I think to save the face of Parliament and Government, it is procedural right that the minister asks for time and reconciles these issues or we just disregard the supplementary for the Land Commission and move with the rest of the items,” he said.

Dokolo District Woman Representative, Hon. Cecilia Ogwal advised the Minister to consider the information provided that Uganda Land Commission is not aware of the supplementary.

“I am saying this because we had a very serious situation in our hands when the Minister of Finance brought a supplementary in the name of Bank of Uganda and when we called the officials, they denied. It is very important that we get to know whether Uganda Land Commission is aware of that supplementary,” she said.

 

This prompted Kadaga to suspend the approval of the supplementary budget in its entirety, until Thursday.

“I have also received a letter and we need to ensure that we are moving together on this supplementary. I want to advise that we stand over the matter and allow the Budget Committee, the minister and all the stakeholders to review this matter,” she ruled.

Kadaga added that the government should also provide commitment that the supplementary budget amounting to shs11.2 billion for compensation of tobacco farmers will be paid back by the two companies that entered contractual arrangements with farmers to supply tobacco in 2018 and yet they still have the tobacco in their stores.

Part of the supplementary request is also meant for the purchase of 18 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine for vaccination of people against the Covid-19. It is also meant for handling of national exams by the Uganda National Examination Board (UNEB) during the COVID pandemic.

The Legislators also queried the supplementary budget allocation to Ministry of Education and Sports of shs1.4 billion to cater for outstanding administrative costs under Mandela National Stadium, given its designation as a Covid-19 treatment and isolation facility.

Hon. Joseph Ssewungu (DP, Kalungu West) objected to the request saying that the national stadium has been used for other activities which are not related to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“There is a lot of theft going on in Namboole and the Public Accounts Committee queried this but no answer was given,” he said.

The MPs also raised concern over the need to ensure that the committee recommendation to allocate a supplementary of shs34 billion to purchase ambulances for each district, instead of vehicles is well implemented.

Hon. John Baptist Nambeshe (NRM, Manjiya County) said that consideration should be made to procure air ambulances for mountainous areas.

“There are some areas where vehicles cannot access, and such need air ambulances,” he said.

Hon. Frederick Angura (NRM, Tororo South County) also asked for boat ambulances for Island districts, saying that lives are being lost in those districts due to absence of ambulances.

Hon. Nathan Nandala Mafabi (FDC, Budadiri County West) urged the legislators to interest themselves in knowing the cost of ambulances to ensure value for money.

“We should avoid a situation where government will hike the prices of these ambulances and yet they are not even taxed. If we do not take interest in this procurement, we risk getting few ambulances as opposed to the 282 budgeted for in the supplementary,” he said.

Government is seeking approval to spend the over shs4.2 trillion under the supplementary expenditure schedule 4 and addendum 1&2 to schedule 4 for financial year 2020/2021.

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Kyambogo finally allows students to report for physical lectures

By
Ronard Shabomwe
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Kyambogo University main building.

Kyambogo University has allowed the continuing students  to report to University for Physical lectures.

Last month (January), the University cancelled 1st February, the date that students were supposed to report for physical lectures after spending two weeks on online classes, following the President’s directives to wait for further guidance.

President Museveni had guided that all Higher Education Institutions were to continue studying online for at least another three months, to enable Government find a lasting solution for Covid-19.

According to the communication from Vice Chancellor Professor Elli Katunguka Rwakishaya to all staff and students, the University will open to continuing  students on 1st March for three weeks face to face lectures,(1st to 21st March),  followed by examinations which will begin on 22nd March to 11th April.

Professor Katunguka further clarifies that first year students will self-enroll online between 22nd March and 11th April, and then, students will officially report to the University on 10th April.

The University is also preparing for detail program for semester one and two of academic year 2020/2021 and proposals for graduation, will be communicated in the subsequent circulars.

By the time, the University cancelled the first reopening date which was 1st February, most students had already reported in their respective hostels and Halls of residences, and some had started planning to go back due to the uncertainties surrounding the reopening of the University.

Prosper Ainembabazi, a second year Education student, said her parents have called her several times, demanding that she travels back home and waits for the way forward.

However, there are students who are arguing that 1st March is far for them to keep around, because the cost of living is also expensive. They contend that, they will travel back home and come back in March when they have the assurance that studies have resumed.

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Supreme Court rejects application to amend Bobi Wine’s election petition

By
Our Reporter
-
Bobi wine

The Supreme Court has dismissed National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential candidate Kyagulanyi Sentamu Robert aka Bobi Wine’s application to amend the main presidential electoral Petition challenging the outcome of the January 14, 2021 presidential race.

The application was dismissed on grounds that the matters brought challenging the legality of Museveni election were filed out of time.

The Kyadondo East MP wanted to adduce more evidence to support his 26 claims of election fraud, for which he wants president-elect Yoweri Kaguta Museveni victory annulled.

On 1 February, through his lawyers led by Medard Seggona, Bobi wine petitioned the Supreme Court challenging President Yoweri Museveni’s victory in the just concluded January general elections saying that the election was not free and fair.

He contended that throughout the campaign period the People of Uganda generally, and more particularly his supporters endured untold suffering, torture, degrading and inhuman treatment on the orders of Gen Museveni. He cited the dark days of 18th and 19th November 2020 which saw over 50 innocent, unarmed citizens murdered in cold blood by the police and military.

In the fresh grounds, Bobi had contended that Mr Museveni was not qualified as candidate and could not lawfully contest in the Presidential Elections being a person in command of military and police contrary to Presidential Elections amendment Act and the Constitutional Amendment.

The matter was presided over by nine justices of the Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo.

Others are Stella Arach Amoko, Mike Chibita, Paul Mugamba, Ezekiel Muhanguzi, Percy Night Tuhaise, Rubby Opio Aweri, Faith Mwondha and Dr Esther Kisaakye, the most senior on the panel.

Appearing before the panel earlier, Bobi Wine’s Lawyer Medard Sseggona told court that most of the 15 days in which he should have filed the petition, he was under house arrest which is why a few aspects of the evidence were left out.

The pre-hearing conference for the election petition is set for Thursday, February 11, 2021. This is one where parties involved in a case meet with judges to determine a number of issues before the case hearing begins.

The respondents in the petition including the Attorney General, Electoral Commission and the president-elect lawyers have since made their responses to the filed petition, ahead of the pre-trial conference.

A team of 40 lawyers has been set up to represent Museveni while 25 will represent Bobi Wine.

On Thursday 14th January, 2021, the Electoral Commission conducted presidential elections where Ugandans exercised their constitutional rights of choosing a president who will lead them through a five year term. Uganda has a total 18,103,603 registered voters and 34,684 polling stations however only 10,350,819 people turned up to vote.

The presidential election which comprised 11 candidates was won by President Yoweri Museveni Tibuhaburwa Kaguta who got 6,042,898 (58.38%). His closest opponent Kyagulanyi Robert Sentamu got 3,631,437 votes (35.08%).

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Uganda maintains its rank in Absa Africa Financial Markets Index amidst #Covid-19 pandemic

By
Geoffery Serugo
-
Mumba Kalifungwa, Managing Director of Absa Bank Uganda

The newly released Absa Africa Financial Markets Index indicates that Uganda has maintained its overall ranking of 10th from 2017. The national score increased from 50 in 2017/18 to 52 out of 100 in 2019/20.

However, Uganda remained in 10th position behind leaders; South Africa, Mauritius, Nigeria, Botswana, Namibia, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco and Zambia and respectively. The Index also shows Uganda was second in the East African Community (EAC) after Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda, respectively.

The ranking is alluded to the country’s strength in access to foreign exchange, liquid forex market, healthy foreign exchange reserves that are above five months of import cover as well as a vibrant interbank swaps and forwards market that is supported by an active interbank money market.

Uganda strongly scored in market transparency, tax and regulatory environment, ranking sixth overall and first in the East African Community (EAC). This reflects the moderate risk of national debt distress, sustaining of the sovereign credit ratings at ‘B’ by Standard and Poor’s and ‘B+’ by Fitch Ratings, and compliance with International Financial Reporting Standards together with the commendable tax and accounting environment that is overseen by an independent oversight body, the Institute of Chartered Public Accountants of Uganda.

Speaking about Financial Markets Index, the Deputy Governor Michael Atingi-Ego said Uganda’s competitive macroeconomic opportunity, ranking sixth overall, and first in the EAC is due to a record of strong economic growth backed by appropriate monetary policy.

“Uganda has a lot to learn from its peers to catch up in market depth, the capacity of local investors, as well as the legality and enforceability of standard financial market master agreements. A host of reforms are underway to address the poor performance in some indicators, for better ranking in the future.”

He said the liberalisation of the pension sector in Uganda while preserving national interests and securing public confidence in the private institutional players, would significantly expand and deepen the non-bank financial sector.

“Uganda’s financial sector has been resilient through the pandemic partly through accelerated digitalisation and the containment of near term risks to financial stability aided by decisive policy measures by the BoU.”

“The slow economic recovery poses vulnerabilities to financial stability, including through the impact on earnings of households and businesses as well as the banking sector asset quality. But while credit extension remains subdued; on aggregate, banking institutions have strong liquidity and capital buffers to absorb emerging shocks.”

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Supreme Court to deliver its ruling in Bobi wine’s petition seeking to introduce new grounds

By
Geoffery Serugo
-
Chief Justice Owiny-Dollo

The Supreme Court is set to deliver its ruling in the petition where former presidential candidate Kyagulanyi Sentamu Robert aka Bobi Wine is seeking leave to amend the main presidential electoral Petition.

Earlier this month, through his lawyers led by Medard Seggona, Bobi wine petitioned the Supreme Court challenging President Yoweri Museveni’s victory in the just concluded January general elections saying that the election was not free and fair. He contended that throughout the campaign period the People of Uganda generally, and more particularly his supporters endured untold suffering, torture, degrading and inhuman treatment on the orders of Gen Museveni. He cited the dark days of 18th and 19th November 2020 which saw over 50 innocent, unarmed citizens murdered in cold blood by the police and military.

The Kyadondo East MP wants to adduce more evidence to support his 26 claims of election fraud, for which he wants president-elect Yoweri Kaguta Museveni annulled.

In the fresh grounds, Bobi contends that Mr Museveni was not qualified as Candidate and could not lawfully Contest in the Presidential Elections being a person in command of military and police contrary to Presidential Elections amendment Act and the Constitutional Amendment.

Appearing before the judges led by Chief justice Owinyi-Dollo, Bobi Wine through his lawyers led by Lubega Medard Sseggona told court that most of the 15 days in which he should have filed the petition, he under house arrest which is why a few aspects of the evidence were left out.

“To date, Bobi Wine’s office of the NUP offices remains under siege by the same respondents. They deny him the freedom, and then come to court and say, notwithstanding the unlawful activities meted out, you should not be granted leave,” Ssegona told court

He told the court that following January elections, Kyagulanyi was placed under house arrest and managed to get himself released after the intervention of the High court when he was left with only five days to prepare his petition and that is the disabling factor.

“The amendment is intended to help this court to effectively adjudicate on all matters of controversy as per the petition,” he said.

The Electoral Commission lawyer (EC) Lawyer Joseph Matsiko however argued that the constitution does not provide for amendment especially when it introduces fresh causes of actions because the time stipulated is cast in stone.

Museveni’s lawyer Ebert Bukenya asked the court not to allow Bobi Wine to drag the court to follow him on a fishing expedition. “The presidential election petitions are guided by a time table with strict time frames and amendment is not part of the events for such a petition.” He said

Attorney General William Byaruhanga said the Election Petition is constitutionally time-bound. “The petitioner has had time to read through my answers and then come up with amendments.” He argued

“Allowing the petitioner to amend the petition will require respondents to file fresh answers and yet the country is waiting for the final confirmation of the elected person. I pray it’s dismissed with costs,” he said.

Other judges in the matter include; Lillian Tibatemwa Ekirikubinza, Paul Mugamba, Esther Kisaakye, Stella Arach Amoko, Rubby Opio Aweri, Percy Tuhaise, Mike Chibita and Ezekiel Muhanguzi.

The judgement is set to be delivered later today at 4pm.

On Thursday 14th January, 2021, the Electoral Commission conducted presidential elections where Ugandans exercised their constitutional rights of choosing a president who will lead them through a five year term. Uganda has a total 18,103,603 registered voters and 34,684 polling stations however only 10,350,819 people turned up to vote.

The presidential election which comprised 11 candidates was won by President Yoweri Museveni Tibuhaburwa Kaguta who got 6,042,898 (58.38%). His closest opponent Kyagulanyi Robert Sentamu got 3,631,437 votes (35.08%).

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Kadaga launches Institute of Parliamentary Studies to train legislators

By
Our Reporter
-
Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga Institute of Parliamentary Studies (RAKIPS) launched

Members of Parliament will now be inducted and trained continuously during their term of office following the inauguration of the Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga Institute of Parliamentary Studies (RAKIPS).

The Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga who presided over the swearing-in of the new Board of the institute on 8th February 2021 said lawmakers were previously inducted only after they are sworn-in for their five year-term.

“We should help members to be more efficient through continuous training. In the past, we have done training in the first one month and we have realised that what they learn is not enough and they get challenges,” she said.

Kadaga added that the Institute will also ensure that MPs elected in by-elections are trained and inducted.

“The members who come in after the general elections are totally not inducted so we need facilities that will support them,” said Kadaga adding that, “This Institute will also ensure the capacity of the staff is strengthened and keep them abreast with new technologies and developments.”

Kadaga also said that the Institute will continue training leaders at the Local Government level to enable proper planning.

“The Local Governments do not have a training facility and yet civil service has. So we have been pitching in to train the Local Governments,” she said.

She added that the Institute is timely given the growing number of Local Governments.

“More people have come into governance who have never been in governance. For example, there is a 28 year old who is now the Chairperson of Mpigi district. So we are going to help such leaders a lot,” said Kadaga.

The new board comprises representatives among MPs, Parliament staff, academia and Local Government.

Hon. Cecilia Ogwal who is the Chairperson together with Hon. Alex Byarugaba, Hon. Anna Adeke Ebaju and Hon. Lyandro Komaketch represent MPs. The Clerk to Parliament, Jane Kibirige and the Director of RAKIPS represent Parliament staff. Dr. Stella Kyohairwe is a representative from the academia and Justinian Niwagaba represents the Ministry of Local Government.

Hon. Ogwal called on the Board to ensure provision of quality services to the 11th Parliament and local governments saying that there will be new leaders with various backgrounds.

“How to we deal with incoming Parliament, staff and local governments with diversities in terms of age, qualifications and experience,” she said.

She also urged the Board to develop strategies aimed at sustaining the good image of the Institute, maintaining good leadership and upholding integrity.

“How do we harness strategic innovation and remain relevant in the dynamic business of capacity building,” she said.

The Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga Institute of Parliamentary Studies first started in 2012 as a department in Parliament under the name, Institute of Parliamentary Studies.

In 2020, the Institute was established by an Act of Parliament as a semi-autonomous body with the objective of conducting courses for the exposition and enhancement of the knowledge, skills and experience of members and staff of the Parliamentary Commission and other legislatures, including local government councils.

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Uganda She Cranes earn invite to SPAR Challenge Netball series in South Africa

By
Our Reporter
-
She Cranes

South Africa’s Netball President Cecilia Molokwane and her Executive Committee have met and reviewed the situation in the country together with the relevant government departments.

Following the announcement by South Africa President Ramaphosa that the lockdown level three restrictions have been reviewed and relaxed, the Executive and Netball South Africa President decided that netball activities should resume effective from Monday 8th February 2021.

“The decision to resume netball activities was not an easy one, because we are still amid a pandemic and we needed to be very careful on how we will do things going forward. This was a balancing act, because key to our list of priorities is ensuring that we preserve the lives of all our stakeholders whilst we play the sport we love. As the Executive together with our Events and Compliance teams, we have put measures in place that will enable us to make sure that we protect the lives of everyone,” said Cecilia Molokwane, Netball South Africa President.

The first event that will take place is the SPAR Challenge which was supposed to happen at the beginning of the year. The participating teams will be the SPAR Proteas, the SA President’s XII, the SPAR Baby Proteas (under 21), Uganda She Cranes and Namibia.

However, the She Cranes and Namibia are yet to confirm their participation.

The SPAR Challenge will take place under strict health and safety regulations, this tournament will happen in a biologically safe environment in Cape Town from the 24th to 31st of March 2021. The teams will meet for a pre-training camp between the 19th and 23rd of March 2021.

The SPAR Proteas team and SA President’s XII team were announced in December 2020. Dr Elsje Jordaan, head coach of the SPAR Baby Proteas, will announce her final team before the SPAR Challenge. She will use this series to get some game time for her players and get combinations right ahead of the under 21 Netball World Youth Cup in Fiji at the end of the year.

The tournament was supposed to take place from 20th to 27th January 2021 in Cape Town but on 8th of January, all planned netball activities had been suspended until further notice due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The tournament will act as a preparation tournament for both the teams ahead of the Netball World Cup.

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Man arrested for defrauding people over Shs500 million through fake gold transactions

By
Our Reporter
-
Man arrested for defrauding people over Shs500 million through fake gold transactions

The Criminal Investigations Directorate-CID headquarters detectives are holding a one Odaka Jimmy-alias Governor aged 28, for defrauding people over 500 Million through fake Gold transactions.

The suspect who is a resident of Mirumu Town Council in Abim District was arrested today 8th Feb.2021 from a hideout in soroti. This follows a reported case of fraud amounting to Ugx 85m from a one Boniface Mumbere, a businessman.

According to Twiine Charles, the CID Spokesperson, the suspect has over 70 case files reported against him in Abim and soroti respectively.

The suspects admits to the fraud, but claims that the money received was shared by several people whose contacts he can’t trace.

“Our teams are still carrying out deeper investigations as the files are processed for prosecution,” Twiine Charles said.

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