Stanbic Bank
Stanbic Bank
23.3 C
Kampala
Stanbic Bank
Stanbic Bank
Home Blog Page 892

Ugandan Embassy in Saudi Arabia in dire state as it runs out of funds

Migrant workers

The chairman of Uganda Association of External Recruitment Agencies (UAERA) Baker Akantambira says the Ugandan Embassy in Saudi Arabia has run out of resources and funds to handle the distressed cases of migrant workers, leaving a number of them unattended to.

Mr Baker Akantambira, who has been in Saudi Arabia since 18th January looking into matters of the migrant workers and assessing their condition observed that the Embassy is in a dire state and needs urgent government intervention.

According to UAERA, the Ambassador’s rent has since expired and there is no money to renew it, putting the diplomat in total jeopardy.

Mr Baker says rent for over 47 girls also expired on 31st Dec 2020 and was not renewed and they have resorted to sleeping under the tree outside the Embassy for over two weeks and at their offices in Saudi Arabia.

He adds that two of the girls became depressed and have run mad due to sponsors abuses and lack of medical attention. The medical bills have also accumulated and now the embassy has no credit facility not even health assurance.

The situation is so bad that the embassy staff have resorted to pulling their own personal resources to send critical cases to hospital.

The embassy is now asking for funds to help them handle these workers and UAERA has suggested to local companies each 300 dollars for fixing issues there.

Currently there are 200 companies in Labour Export business and the booming business brings in approximately 200 Million US Dollars revenue to the country.

UAERA is an association that brings together all legally registered labour externalisation firms.

However, a number of labour recruiting companies under their umbrella body are not willing to fund the embassy, saying Government benefits more from foreign remittances and therefore should fully fund the embassy.

“Following our resolution at the members GM that each company advances at least US$300 for fixing a few things in Saudi….I took courage and travelled here expecting that you (members) would have paid by now!” he said.

Baker says that together with the embassy, they calculated the immediate things to fix and they need at least USD 50,000. Short of that, the Ambassador has already written to Min of Gender, Labour and Social Development to close this business until funds are availed to them.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry has also gone mute on the issue.

Mr Baker requested all who care about the labour exporting business to come out and take action.

Stories Continues after ad

Troubled EOC boss changes names from Sylvia Muwebwa Ntambi to Sylvia Muwebwa Nabatanzi

Sylvia Muwebwa

The troubled Chairperson of Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) Sylvia Muwebwa Ntambi has changed her name a few months after being charged with corruption.

According to deed poll, EOC boss renounced and abandoned the use of the name Sylvia Ntambi as it appears on her national identification card and in the lieu assumed the name Sylvia Nabatanzi Muwebwa. Previously EOC boss was using Sylvia Muwebwa Ntambi but now she has dropped Ntambi and replace it with Nabatanzi hence adoption of Sylvia Nabantazi Muwebwa

“In the pursuance of my side change of name as fore said, I shall hereby declare that I shall of all time thereafter in all records, deeds, and instruments in writing and in all actions, proceedings and transactions, and upon all actions whatsoever go by, use and sign the said name in lieu of the name Ntambi Sylvia renounced as fore mentioned,” reads in part of the deed poll.

“I therefore request and authorise all persons at all times thereafter to designate and by my assumed name Nabatanzi Sylvia Muwebwa,” she said.

Sylvia is grappling with corruption charges which were leveled against her in 2020.

The charging of Sylvia Muwebwa Ntambi and nine others follows the lunging of complaints to President Yoweri Museveni calling for his intervention. According to a petition dated 22nd May 2019, the whistleblower accused her of causing financial loss of over Shs 200 million through termination of workers contracts and forcing workers to resign and replace them with her relatives and friends.

Since she took over the chairperson-ship of the commission, the whistleblower said Mrs Ntambi has unfairly dismissed over 11 staff, terminated over 10 staff contracts, and four contracts have not been renewed. In 2017/ 2018, the Auditor General advised the commission to employ people on permanent contracts however the chairperson declined and this has since led to financial losses.

They accused her of directing the collection of Shs100 million which they had approved in the commission meeting and the said money was to be used as kickbacks for individuals who worked hard for passing of the commission budget in 2018/19.

“It was paid and collected through individual bank accounts. It was collected and handed over to her at Kampala International University (KIU), Kansanga on 7th March 2019,” the whistleblower said. Despite being chairperson of the commission, Mrs Ntambi is averred to have forced her secretaries to pay her as consultant in production of various reports.

“The money was paid to Prof. Sunday Nicholas Olwor (Shs 14M), Kamahoro Enid (Shs 13M), Nassanga Sarah (Shs 5M), Atukunda Susan (Shs 6M), Mugisha James (Shs 12M), Kwesiga Ronnie (Shs 12M), Kwesiga Ronnie (Shs 10.55M), Sarah Nassanga (Shs 9M), Kwihangana Manasseh(Shs 13M), Prof. Sunday Nicholas Olwor (Shs 9.8M), Kwesiga Ronnie (Shs 9M) and sylvia Muwebwa Ntambi (Shs 13M),” payment slips indicate.

She is also accused of irregular approval of allowances of various members of the commission, using commission vehicle for doing private businesses, irregular recruitment of staff without embracing commission procedures. It is said that she illegally recruited Betty Namazzi, Juma Waira and Petau Isabirye Babirye.

Stories Continues after ad

Dr. Kisamba Mugerwa eulogized for improving livelihoods in slums

A group of over 30 Ladies learing how to run sewing machines at Ghetto Research Lab in Chamuka in Kamwokya.

Micro Finance Support Center Limited together with seven youth livelihood groups have lauded the good works done by late Kisamba Mugerwa when he was still alive, for improving livelihood programs in Slums.

The former Agriculture Minister died at the age of 75 years at Mulago National Referral Hospital of suspected #Covid-19 infection, is also celebrated to be a champion for access and use of credit by smallholder farmers in Uganda.

During the launch of seed capital in Kamwokya on Friday evening, Hellen Masika the Acting Executive Director of Microfinance Support Center Limited-MSC said late Mugerwa had the passion of working with ghetto communities.

Masika who handed over a dummy cheque of Shs50m million to seven groups, recommended Dr Kisamba Mugerwa for his contributions towards ghetto youth.

Dr. Mugerwa who was the Board Chairperson of Microfinance Support Center helped many youths in slum areas by identifying ghetto communities and started working with them.

Masika says these groups are creating employment opportunities for many youth in slum areas because of the economic activities they are venturing in; therefore, they need to be supported from where Mugerwa left them.

“Dr. Mugerwa had a great passion for these communities; he identified these communities and encouraged us to work with them. He introduced them to a microfinance support center and as we talk to today, we are working with them”. Masika, the acting ED of MSC said.

Masika further said that they are working hard to fulfill what he started as a person who loved seeing everyone succeed regardless of their level of education and family background.

The ghetto community livelihood groups that received the seed capital support included,  creative arts 256 group, Zik performers group, Clear wall of dreams group, Innovator light hub group, Echo youth group, ghetto research lab group and slum life survival group.

Jumah Walusimbi, the board member of Microfinance Support Center said, by the time he died, he had made sure that groups in slum areas are funded by the government because it is where the most vulnerable people stay.

Edward Butimba, the founder of Creative Arts 256 group which is one of the beneficiaries, said that he managed to register his community based organization because of Dr Mugerwa who went ahead to give him support financially, adding that he had failed to raise money for starting up this organization.

Like Butimba, Samuel Bossa, the chairperson of Echo youth group, a group with 150 members testified that Kisamba’s contributions towards their groups is a great reminder that he was a wonderful patriotic leader this country has ever had in history.

Stories Continues after ad

Maj. Oliver Zizinga was a straight forward patriot-Otafiire

Maj. Zizinga (middle) pose for a photo with young NRM party supporters after trekking with President Museveni in 2020.

East African Affairs Minister, Gen. Kahinda Otafiire  has described the National Resistance Army historical member Oliver Zizinga as a patriot who was straight-forward during the busy war struggles.

“It is unfortunate she has passed on. She was a very Jolly, hardworking and straight  forward patriot during our struggle. The country will miss her dearly” Gen. Otafiire told Eagle Online by phone this evening.

Otafiire joins Uganda People’s Defence Forces in mourning Ms Zizinga who died at the rank Major.

UPDF spokesperson, Brig Gen Flavia Byekwaso said Maj Zizinga died Saturday at Medipal Hospital Kololo in Kampala.

“The UPDF family commiserates with the family of our NRA historical Maj Oliver Zizinga who passed on today at 10:00am at Medipal Hospital Kololo. Your struggle to liberate Uganda was not in vain. May the Lord rest her soul in perfect peace,” Brig Gen Byekwaso tweeted Saturday.

Maj Zizinga is one the better known women whose contribution helped bring the current government into power.

She’s one of the women who were actively deployed in battles against the Uganda National Liberation Army (UNLA) between 1981 and 1986.

Three of Zizinga’s children were killed in 1980 by UNLA soldiers. That incident made her vow to support anyone who would fight them. She joined the NRA as a mobiliser doing clandestine work.

Maj. Zizinga and Gertrude Njuba were charged with taking care of the NRA rebel leader Yoweri Museveni and they were among a few female combatants who joined the Luwero bush war.

Stories Continues after ad

Youth reject Kasekende’s daughter after eating her millions in the National Female race

Youth have rejected Ms Angella Kasekende, an Independent a candidate in the National Female Youth Member of Parliament race.

According to sources, even when Ms Kasekende injected in huge sums of money, the youth ate her money but only gave three votes.

Angella Kasekende the daughter of former Bank of Uganda (BoU) Deputy Governor Louis Kasekende. She managed to get three votes out of 428 valid votes counted.

She was defeated by Phiona Nyamutoro of  National Resistance Movement (NRM) who got 296 votes.

Other contenders were Prisca Nangiro Amongin (Independent) 15 votes, Marcelina Busomoke (Independent) 28 votes, Doreen Kaija of National Unity Platform (NUP) three votes Muserero Hajirah, 11 votes, Prima Tukamushaba six votes, Doreen Kembabazi one vote, Janeti Kenyangi Kikwaya (Independent) two votes while  Desire Muhooza didn’t get any vote.

Stories Continues after ad

DJ Khaled to host MTV Africa Music Awards Kampala

DJ Khaled

Grammy-winning producer, DJ and record exec DJ Khaled will host the MTV Africa Music Awards Kampala 2021 (MAMAs), broadcasting globally for the first time on MTV Feb 20th.

Due to #Covid-19 travel restrictions, Khaled will host the virtual ceremony from the comfort of his home in Miami.

“MTV has always been a great partner so I jumped at the opportunity to host this year’s Mamas,” said DJ Khaled.

“I can’t wait to celebrate the incredible music that comes out of Africa, which has inspired me throughout my career.”

DJ Khaled will be joined by African co-hosts that will be announced at a later stage for the awards ceremony set to air on MTV in 180 countries.

Khaled has made chart-topping hits featuring Jay-Z, Kanye West, Drake, Chris Brown, Ludacris, T.I., French Montana, Future, Big Sean, Rick Ross, John Legend, Nicki Minaj and Lil Wayne, among others.

“Africa is home to some of the world’s most dynamic talent and we’re excited to spotlight these artists as the MAMAs broadcast in 180 countries for the first time in MTV history,” commented Bruce Gillmer; president of music, music talent, programming and events for ViacomCBS Media Networks.

The MAMAs 2021 feature 20 awards handed out to celebrate the best in African talent over the past year. In addition to more general prizes: best male artist, female artist, song and collaboration, the MAMAs will recognize work from Portuguese and French-speaking Africa with the introduction of the Best Lusophone and Best Francophone categories. Other new awards include the MAMA Generation Change Award, Best Fan Base, Alone Together Best Lockdown Performance and Personality of the Year.

Stories Continues after ad

NUP secure 41 out of 44 council seats in KCCA

KCCA building

The National Unity Platform (NUP) party scooped 41 seats out of 44 seats for both the directly elected and woman councillors to Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) in the five divisions of the city.

This indicates a big win again in Kampala City and in the Buganda region for NUP, a party which is led by former Kyadondo East MP Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu aka Bobi Wine.

The other three seats were taken by members of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) which also sponsored the Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago. Deputy Lord Mayor, Doreen Nyanjura also retained her seat as the Makerere University Woman Councilor.

This will be the first time, two parties; National Resistance Movement-NRM and the Democratic Party (DP) will have no single representative at city hall.

In divisions such as Rubaga and Kawempe, NUP defeated all the other political parties scooping all city councillors seats.

In Nakawa, NUP took all the city councillors positions except Nakawa A where FDC merged the winner. NUP won all the six seats for the directly elected councillors (LC5) for Nakawa East and West.

For the women seats, NUP won Nakawa B, C and D.

Stories Continues after ad

CHAN 2021: Cranes target first victory against Togo

McKinstry

The next two matches for Uganda Cranes at the ongoing Total CHAN Finals in Cameroon will define the team’s journey at the tournament in Cameroon.

Having drawn goalless with Rwanda in the opening match on Monday, Johnathan McKinstry’s troops will be hoping to treat the matches against Togo and Morocco like Cup Finals.

However the Northern Irishman still has a lot of confidence in his team because they have been putting into practice what they have learnt during training sessions.

At the Pre-match Press conference on Thursday afternoon and a detailed interview session with fufa website in Cameroon McKinstry also revealed that strike Milton Karisa will not be available for the fixture against Togo on Friday.

“It is unfortunate that Karisa had to come out early in that game where we had a bright start against Rwanda. He had a good run during the Mini Tournament in Doula. The Medical team has done a wonderful job and will monitor the situation in the next few days. As we welcome back our captain Halid Lwaliwa, it is unfortunate that Karisa will not be available for selection on Friday,” said McKinstry after Wednesday’s training in Douala.

Uganda will aim to take full advantage of the Togolese’s poor form, however, as they are currently winless in each of their last nine matches across all competitions.

Having never qualified from the group stage before, the Cranes are banking on the experience of their squad to make a difference, with players from seasonal CAF Interclub competitions campaigners KCCA FC and Vipers SC.

Togo faces Rwanda in their last game on January 26th in Limbe, while Uganda locks horns with Morocco in Douala in a simultaneous kickoff.

Stories Continues after ad

Museveni returns to Kampala a week after presidential elections

Museveni's supporters waving at him

President-elect Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has set off from his country home in Rwakitura Kiruhura District driving to Kampala, a week after the presidential elections.

Museveni was last week re-elected for a sixth term with 58.64% of the vote as his closest opponent Kyagulanyi Ssentamu Robert aka Bobi Wine won 34.83% of the vote. Museveni was on Saturday 16th January 2021 announced by the Chairman of the Electoral Commission (EC) Justice Simon Byabakama.

Accompanied by the First Lady who doubles as the Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Kataha Museveni, Museveni is driving himself amidst cheers and jubilation from his supporters who are eagerly waiting to wave at him at various trading centers.

Museveni has been making stopovers at the various designated towns of Lyantonde at 12pm, Kyazanga at 1pm, Lukaya at 2pm, Kayabwe at 3pm. He will later stop over at Mpigi at 4pm, Busega at 5pm and City Square at 6pm.

The self-drive and grand entry into Kampala is peddled at applauding his supporters for unanimously voting for him against others presidential candidates who were in the race. He will on May, 12th be sworn in for a term that will mark him 40 years in power.

Since he was declared a winner, the main opposition candidate Bobi Wine rejected the results and he has since been under house arrest with no one allowed in and out.

“For standing and defeating Gen. Museveni in an election, which he resoundingly rigged, I am still under house arrest eight days later! I thank all friends in Uganda and abroad who continue to stand with us, until we put an end to this indignity. Uganda will be free,’ Bobi Wine wrote on social media.

Stories Continues after ad

North and CEC members push for Oulanyah to be next Speaker

Speaker Jacob Oulanyah

A section of Central Executive Committee  and party members of the National Resistance Movement are pushing for Jacob Oulanyah to become the next Speaker of Parliament.

According to them, Mr Oulanyah deserves to be next Speaker given that his region voted party presidential flag bearer and posted high number of Members of Parliament.

Oulanyah is NRM Vice Chairperson for Northern Region. Oulanyah who has previously contested for the same slot but pulled out after party machinery prevailing over him to let it for the Kamuli district Woman MP, Rebecca Kadaga.

“It is no longer a secret, we are fronting Jacob Oulanya because he has been loyal to the party but above all, his region performed better. We are not against Kadaga but reality be told, she has been a deputy speaker and speaker trice. However, the overall factor is that her region didn’t vote our flag bearer”. a CEC source that sought anonymity told Eagle Online

According to media reports, Oulanyah has already indicated his interests to contest against Kadaga. Last year at a conflict resolution meeting at State House which was attended by both Kadaga, Oulanyah and other top party wigs that was presided over by President Museveni, Oulanyah affirmed to the head of state that come rain or sunshine, he was going to challenge Kadaga and nobody would compel him to quit the race.

What remains to be seen is whether the opposition and independents will front a candidate for any of the positions of Deputy and Speaker but what is known is that Kadaga has had the opposition and independents on her side.

Stories Continues after ad