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Electoral Commission clears 11 presidential candidates for 2021 general election

By
Our Reporter
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EC chairperson Byabakama (centre)

Museveni will vie for a sixth term in next year’s presidential election alongside ten others following clearance from the Electoral Commission (EC) after fulfilling the requirements needed for nomination in a two day exercise at Kyambogo University sports ground.

The other candidates cleared include; National Unity Platform’s (NUP) Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, Patrick Oboi Amuriat of the Forum for Democratic change (FDC), Democratic Party’s Nobert Mao and Gen Mugisha Muntu of the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT).

Gen Henry Tumuknde is running independently just like John Katumba, a 24-year-old graduate from Makerere University, Fred Mwesigye, Willy Mayambala and Joseph Kabuleta.

Nancy Linda Kalembe, also running on independent ticket, is the only female candidate in next year’s presidential race.

But it was Bobi Wine’s nomination which brought business in Nakawa and Ntinda to a standstill after police dispersed his fans as they gathered in numbers.

Right after his nomination at Kyambogo, Bobi Wine was violently arrested by police and whisked away up to his home in Magere amidst chaos.

EC chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama called upon the nominated candidates to continue observing the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) set by the Ministry of Health throughout their campaigns to curb the spread of Covid-19.

However, EC is yet to announce when the presidential candidates will officially begin their nationwide campaigns and also set the election date.

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Will Generals Tumukunde and Muntu deny Museveni a lion’s share of Western Uganda votes?

By
Ronard Shabomwe
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Will Generals Muntu and Tumukunde give Museveni a run for his money?

The 2021 General Elections will see General Mugisha Muntu and Lt.Gen Henry Tumukunde, two men who were very central in the 1981-86 Bush War, challenging President Museveni for the country’s Number One job.

Gen Muntu, a former powerful Army Commander, and Lt Gen Tumukunde, an ex-Security Minister who also held different influential positions, both argue that President Museveni has since betrayed the ideals that inspired the Bush War and it’s now time up for him.

Gen Muntu will contest on the platform of the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) while Lt Gen Tumukunde will contest under the auspices of a pressure group called Reformed Uganda aka “Kisoboka”.

President Museveni has never faced off with two generals in one election and it is no wonder that there is palpable unease within the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) and security circles over how the system should respond to the two-pronged challenge.

As a former Secretary for Mobilisation and President of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), Uganda’s leading opposition party, Gen Muntu boasts of support from structures that he helped nurture while still at the helm of the powerful party.

The General is also preferred by NRM moderates who posit that a post-Museveni transition requires an astute, and temperate political player who will not antagonise radically entrenched forces in the regime establishment.

The uncertainty about a post-Museveni Uganda plays into General Muntu’s hands.

Having served as Army Commander for a record 9 years, between 1989-1998,(only Gen Aronda Nyakairima(RIP) served longer),Gen Muntu maintains the respect of influential Generals, and that has been a particular cause of concern for the regime and security agencies.

Gen Muntu is also a darling of the influential donor community, which has long been impressed by his structured, grass-roots based, and all inclusive politics. The donor community views Gen Muntu as the perfect fit to healing a country fractured by years of lack of a peaceful transfer of power and burdened by the Museveni dictatorship.

And with Gen Muntu already giving the regime sleepless nights, the entry of Lt. Gen Tumukunde into the fray was the traditional adding of fuel to the fire.

Gen. Tumukunde needs little introduction. Those familiar with the machinations that went into over-drive in the 2016 elections say it would have been difficult for President Museveni to retain the presidency had it not been for the underground work of Gen Tumukunde.

Gen Tumukunde worked single-handedly to dismantle the structures of John Patrick Amama Mbabazi and secure the victory for President Museveni. Gen Tumukunde was the real cog behind the re-election of Museveni in 2016 and when he announced that he was now launching his own presidential bid, he sent shivers down the spine of NRM faithful.

He is also credited for his mobilization skills that without him and a few of his colleagues like the late Brig. Nobel Mayombo and to be precise like Speaker Rebecca Kadaga said, Museveni should have been sent home in 2001 if it was for Tumukunde and others who delivered a win for Yoweri Tibuhaburwa Museveni.

Security agencies have also been in over-drive mode in a bid to try and establish the veracity of claims that  Gen Tumukunde has the backing of wealthy donors both within and outside Uganda. However, Tumukunde has previously told Eagle Online with or without financial support from within and without, the struggle to remove Mr. Museveni starts with the determination of the power of Uganda who are pro-change.

Fears that Lt.Gen Tumukunde has the backing of wealthy individuals were behind the raid by security operatives on his offices in Kololo.

It is also proper to understand Gen. Tumukunde’s opposition to Museveni’s continued stay in power started in 2005 when still serving as an army representative in parliament opposed the amendment of the constitution to give himself limitless terms in office. it is from here that he was arraigned in a military court martial and for nine years, he was kept in a cage of the officers’ mesh.

Having served as an MP, Army MP, intelligence chief, Army Division commander, Lt Gen Tumukunde enjoys reasonable support from within the security agencies, another sub-plot that has created apprehension within the regime.

When nominations are concluded tomorrow and Gen Muntu and Gen Tumukunde are both on the ballot, President Museveni will have to contend with two challengers uniquely different from those he has previously handled.

However, with both coming from Museveni’s traditional home area of Ankole which has previously voted massively for Museveni in the previous elections, it is hard this time to ignore the two generals due to the fact that they are also homeboys like Museveni and secondly they both know tricks used to by Museveni to win the hearts of the electorates in the area.

Generals Tumukunde and Muntu like earlier indicated, both have been key to Museveni’s earlier entrenchment into power and therefore, they could be in the know on how to undo what they did for Museveni.

Tumukunde’s Rukungiri and other parts of Kigezi are already under the armpits of the opposition and as same can be said of Muntu’s Ntungamo despite the presence of First Lady, the area in 2016 voted for Gerald Karuhanga who is an opposition MP. So will the two army generals impact on Museveni’s 2021 election outcome?

 

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BREAKING: Bobi Wine arrested after nomination

By
Our Reporter
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Bobi Wine

The President of the National Unity platform (NUP) Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu aka Bobi Wine has been arrested shortly after being duly nominated as a presidential candidate for the 2021 general elections.

More to follow…

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Kenyatta launches national Zero Malaria Starts with Me campaign, strengthening continental leadership towards a malaria-free Africa

By
Our Reporter
-
President Uhuru Kenyatta of the Republic of Kenya.

 

President Uhuru Kenyatta has announced the launch of Kenya’s Zero Malaria Starts with Me campaign, joining the pan-African movement to strengthen local, national, and regional efforts towards a malaria-free Africa. As part of the campaign, individuals, families, communities, as well as political and business leaders will be urged to make a personal commitment to step up the fight against the disease.

The East African nation, which accounts for 3 per cent of global malaria cases, has made significant progress against the disease in recent years. Increased access to malaria prevention tools such as insecticide treated nets and indoor residual spraying have played a key role in Kenya’s malaria control efforts.

In the coming months, the country is planning to distribute over 15 million mosquito nets, bringing the coverage of its citizens to 25 million. Furthermore, 1.8 million Kenyans were protected from malaria through insecticide residual spraying in 2018. The nation is also participating in the world’s first pilot malaria vaccine programme with 65,000 Kenyan children immunized against malaria despite the #Covid-19 pandemic.

Uhuru Kenyatta, Chair of the African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA) declares:

“Significant gains have been made in the battle against malaria and progress needs to be accelerated. As we enter the decade to end malaria, I am committed to ensuring that we accelerate progress and end this ancient scourge. I call on the African community and especially the youth to be leaders in health and in the fight against malaria.”

 To kick-off the country’s Zero Malaria Starts with Me campaign, the Ministry of Health will scale up the dissemination of public health messages and promote youth engagement in the fight against malaria by developing a network of community malaria youth champions.

The Republic of Kenya has also started the process of establishing an End Malaria Council and Fund, an innovative resource mobilization mechanism to attract contributions from the private sector. Earlier this year, HE President Kenyatta called on African leaders to join him in establishing at least 15 End Malaria Councils and Funds and committed to engage Africa’s regional economic blocs to address key challenges and provide solutions in the fight against malaria.

In line with HE President Kenyatta’s ALMA priorities around digitisation and real time access to malaria-related data at country level, Kenya is also launching their malaria scorecard today. This scorecard allows every citizen of Kenya to understand the malaria situation where they live, empowering them to take action in the context of the Zero Malaria Starts with Me campaign.

Her Excellency Amira ElFadil, Commissioner for Social Affairs at the African Union Commission, says:

 “At this time of uncertainty and disruption in the world due to #Covid-19, many have been quick to forget the fatality of malaria in Africa. We are all particularly concerned about severe disruptions to life-saving net campaigns and limited access to antimalarial medicines. If we all emulate the kind of willingness to strengthen advocacy and take action like Kenya, then we can shine a spotlight on the vital importance of sustaining malaria efforts within and outside of a pandemic.”  

 Dr Abdourahmane Diallo, CEO of the RBM Partnership to End Malaria, comments:

 “The RBM Partnership stands ready to support the Republic of Kenya in its efforts to reach Zero Malaria. We look forward to continuing the collaboration with the African Leaders Malaria Alliance and their Chair, His Excellency President Uhuru Kenyatta, and to supporting his work to end malaria in Kenya and across the continent. Today, more than ever, zero malaria starts with each and every one of us.”

 Joy Phumaphi, Executive Secretary of ALMA, adds:

 “Country leaders play a critical role in making the commitments required to accelerate progress against malaria. The launch of Kenya’s Zero Malaria Starts with Me campaign demonstrates incredible leadership, and we hope to see further countries follow Kenya’s lead following His Excellency President Kenyatta’s appointment as Chair of the African Leaders’ Malaria Alliance earlier this year.” 

 Malaria is a disease which disproportionately affects the African continent, with over 90 per cent of malaria cases and deaths worldwide. To drive down the disease and save lives, Zero Malaria Starts with Me links local and national action by including all members of society in the fight against malaria.

The continent-wide Zero Malaria Starts with Me campaign was endorsed by African Union leaders at their 31st Summit in July 2018 in support of the AU goal to end malaria by 2030. The campaign sparks grassroots movement by engaging political leaders at all levels, mobilising resources and funding, and empowering communities to take ownership of malaria efforts and hold leaders accountable in the fight against malaria.

Since then, the pan-African movement has continued to gain momentum, with Kenya becoming 16th country to launch its national Zero Malaria Starts with Me campaign.

 

 

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Bobi Wine duly nominated to run for President

By
Our Reporter
-
bobi wine nominated

The President of the National Unity platform (NUP) Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu aka Bobi Wine has been the fourth candidate to be duly nominated as a presidential candidate for the 2021 general elections.

Bobi wine was accompanied by his wife Barbie Kyagulanyi Itungo and fellow singer Nubian Li among others.

After going through his documents for verification, the Electoral Commission Chairman Justice Simon Byabakama declared Bobi Wine a candidate for the forthcoming elections.

“I, Justice Simon Byabakama, declare Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, a duly nominated presidential candidate for the 2021 general election having fulfilled the needed requirements,” Justice Simon Byabakama said.

Kyagulanyi joins the incumbent President Yoweri Museveni, ANT’s Mugisha Muntu and Gen. Henry Tumukunde to have successfully finished the nomination process.

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Uganda Premier League kick-off pushed to December 3

By
Our Reporter
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UPL logo

The StarTimes Uganda Premier League kick off for the 2020/21 season has been postponed for the second time.

Initially, the campaign was to kick off on October 17th before being pushed to November 20th.

However, the latest statement from Fufa indicates the new season will tentatively get underway on December 3rd, a decision reached after deliberations arising from the meeting between FUFA, UPL Board and the 2020/21 UPL Clubs.

Below is the full statement;

Arising out of the deliberations of the meeting between FUFA, UPL Board and the 2020/21 UPL Clubs, FUFA hereby issues the Circular on the resumption of the 2020/21 StarTimes Uganda Premier League;

FUFA will procure a Government authorised authority as the official FUFA COVID – Testing Centre and only results from such a centre will be recognised by the football regulations.

FUFA will procure in-house medical personnel on a fulltime basis for a renewable period of 6-months to undertake COVID-19 responsibilities as required of FUFA.

Licensed players and technical staff for the 2020/2021 season who will undertake sporting roles at training and matches will undergo a mandatory COVID-19 test.

Only persons who test negative and get issued with a FUFA COVID-19 Clearance Certificate shall be eligible to participate in the team training and matches.

All Referees and Match Commissioners for the 2020/21 UPL Season will undergo a mandatory COVID-19 test. Only persons who test negative and get issued with a FUFA-COVID-19 Clearance Certificate shall be eligible to officiate the matches.

The FUFA COVID-19 personnel and the official FUFA COVID-Testing Centre will administer the bi-weekly testing of players and technical staff.

FUFA shall undertake the cost of testing Referees and Match Commissioners and will also pre-finance the cost of COVID-19 tests for club players and officials.

Corresponding deductions will be made against future club incomes as reimbursement for this medical exercise.

Players and officials found to be positive to the COVID-19 test shall be ineligible to make contact with the rest of the players and technical staff for training and matches. A match shall only be rescheduled if a club has less than 10 outward players and goalkeeper that are not positive to the COVID-19 test.

Training and Matches venues are out of bounds to persons that are not members of the playing or technical staff that have been issued with FUFA COVID-19 Clearance Certificate. An inspection will be conducted by FUFA and only authorised venues will be issued with the FUFA COVID-19 Venue Clearance Certificate to host training sessions and matches.

FUFA will issue COVID-19 Competitions Regulations to detail the execution of the authorised matches and training by the 15th November 2020 with the strict observation of training grounds and Stadium SOPs.

There will be sanctions and fines up to exclusion of the club from FUFA Competitions for repeated and gross violation of the COVID-19 Competitions Regulations.

The FUFA Club Licensing Committee will issue 2020/21 UPL Club Licenses by 3rd November 2020 while the FUFA Competitions Directorate to issue Players’ Licenses and bench permits by 10th November 2020 and the UPL Secretariat shall release the fixtures by 10th November 2020 and the Uganda Premier League Kickoff is set for 3rd December 2020.

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Standard Chartered names Grant Parkinson regional head for private banking in Europe, Africa and Middle East

By
Geoffery Serugo
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Standard Chartered logo

Standard Chartered Private Bank has announced the appointment of Grant Parkinson as Regional Head, Private Banking, Europe, Africa and Middle East and subject to regulatory approval.

Grant brings with him many years of private banking experience to Standard Chartered. As Chief Operating Officer at Coutts from 2013 to 2017, Grant’s responsibilities were predominantly client-focused, including developing new client propositions and opening of a booking centre.

Most recently as Chief Operating Officer at Brewin Dolphin, one of the UK’s leading wealth managers, he focused more on the firm’s digital solutions and developing technology solutions for client-facing colleagues. Earlier in his career, Grant also worked at Barclays and McKinsey.

Grant, who is based in London and reports to Didier von Daeniken, Global Head, Private Banking said: “I am delighted to join Standard Chartered to lead Private Banking across Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Standard Chartered is a firm I have long admired and I look forward to working with the leadership team to continue growing the business while delivering the highest standards of client service.”

Steve Atkinson, currently Regional Head, Private Banking West, is stepping down from his role and will be leaving after three decades with Standard Chartered. Steve’s illustrious career with the Bank has seen him working across many areas and countries, including leadership positions in Commercial, Corporate and Institutional Banking, Finance, Investor Relations and Corporate Affairs.

During his time with the Private Bank, Steve led the business through a considerable period of transformation and laid the foundations for the business to grow. He will be working closely with Grant to ensure a smooth leadership transition over the next few weeks. Steve’s last day with the Bank is on 2 December 2020.

The Private Bank’s franchise in the West is an important part of its global Private Banking business, complementing its franchise in Asia to cater to the needs of a global client base. We look forward to Grant leading the business into its next phase of growth.

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Amuriat arrested, produced for nomination without shoes

By
Our Reporter
-
amuriat

The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party presidential flag bearer Patrick Amuriat Oboi has been arrested and produced for nominations without shoes.

The former MP was arrested at Najjanankumbi ahead of the presidential nominations taking shape at Kyambogo University.

Amuriat was forced out of his car moments after he arrived at Party headquarters Najjanakumbi and bundled into a waiting police vehicle and driven away to Kyambogo University where he was scheduled to be nominated for the 2021 general elections.

Speaking at the nomination center, Amuriat said; “I came here to be nominated as a prisoner without shoes, not that I wanted. We have been telling Ugandans that Mr. Museveni runs a fully blown dictatorship. Despite what happens to us as the FDC, we will never give up.”

“I call upon all Ugandans that change will not come on a silver platter. My candidature represents the one percent that suffers,” he said.

He was later nominated as a Presidential candidate for the 2021 general polls. He was seconded by Kira Municipality MP Semujju Nganda, MP Nandala Mafabi, Salamu Musumba among others.

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Kyambogo residents battle with security officers

By
Ronard Shabomwe
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Some of the protestors wore NRM and Museveni branded T-shirts and also dry banana leaves to signal support for Museveni. Photo by Ronard Shabomwe

The residents of Uganda Polytechnic Kyambogo (UPK) have today engaged in running battles with security officers after being blocked from accessing the nomination venue at Kyambogo Sports Grounds.

This comes a week after some of the residents dragged Kyambogo University to Buganda Road  Chief Magistrate’s Court  over a land dispute. They want court to block the university from evicting them.

Now, eight police officers and two soldiers blocked the angry residents who wanted to see president Museveni over the land dispute with Kyambogo University.

The Electoral Commission nominated President Museveni after 10am today.

However, the protesters who stood 50 metres from the Kyambogo University Police Station gate demanded to see Museveni after his nomination.  However, an army tank was used to block Kyambogo University Road and as a result, the protesters were not visible from even the Kyambogo University Main gate, which is 60 metres from the entrance of the sports grounds.

Meanwhile, Museveni exited the venue from the main entrance of the sports grounds and was thereby unable to see the protestors. He however left the venue in the company of 10 supporters in the “yellow bus” and other officials from the National Resistance Movement-NRM.

The protestors are residents of 4 villages in Kyambogo Parish, that is K2, K3,K5 and K6 in Nakawa west constituency.

The angry residents say the land, being where the university is chasing them belongs to their ancestors, therefore, if they university is to chase them, they should be compesated or resettled. Mary Zawedde the area local leader says they are about 1300 affected residents and each should be given shillings 1 million as compensation.

Some of the residents agree with Zawedde on the need for compensation while others want relief aid such as food.

Other residents say the land doesn’t belong to Kyambogo University.

The residents are low income earners who engage in making clay charcoal stoves and are also private security guards at Kyambogo University and other nearby institutions.

Meanwhile Vincent Olowo a 30 year old resident decries the lack of electricity and water connection in the area.

*Messages to Museveni*

The residents held placards with messages such as “Dear President Yoweri Museveni, we need time if we are to go, give us like 2-5 years. And when we are going, please let them compensate us with reasonable amount of money” the placard reads.

Another placard says “Dear President why [are] the university top officials chasing us from this land where we were born, it’s now over 40 years.”

Some are now vowing to support opposition especially National Unity Platform (NUP) if president Museveni fails to intervene in their situation.

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Banda business community comply to Police directives, remain closed

By
Ronard Shabomwe
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businesses remained closed

Various business in Banda community and along Jinja road has adhered to Police directives  not to operate during presidential nomination period.

Sunday evening and Monday morning, police visited different businesses in banda and Jinja road and asked them not to operate for two days.

Police say, if there are no business going on in these areas, they will be able to do their security activities without any disturbances.

According to the situation in these areas, the business have not opened to avoid being disturbed by the security operatives.

Molly Nabukenya a business woman in banda dealing in boutique says that she has to obey what the police asked for being she knows that when police request, it is a command. Therefore, she couldn’t risk opening her boutique.

Meanwhile, there is heavy deployment of police, Local defense unit army(LDU) and army officers who are moving up and down in banda to ensure stability in the area.

Banda residents told this website that there are few members who wanted to open their business but they were warned by security against opening their shops.

Whereas, most people stayed home, there are some that are moving around to monitor the security situation to see if it is possible to operate.

However, this website observed that there are some especially those that do typing, photocopying and related work that could open and close themselves inside and start operating.

Isaac Muhindo who deals in students research told us that he doesn’t see the reason why people should have closed their business if they are peaceful and not causing any chaos.

Business around these areas include, restaurants, bars, stationery, salons, boutiques, libraries, mobile money agents, boda boda cyclists, supermarkets, garages, car bonds, industries among many others.

Due to heavy deployment and road blocks mounted around jinja road and banda community, only people who are moving on foot are allowed to pass through and continue their ways.

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