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Will it be Akufo-Addo or John Mahama as Ghana votes?

By
Agencies
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President Akufo-Addo and his main challenger John Mahama.

Ghanaians voted on Monday in what is expected to be a close race between President Nana Akufo-Addo and his main rival John Mahama, who are offering competing plans to end an economic crisis

Eyes are on the West African powerhouse to see if it can keep its standing as a bastion of democracy in an unstable region where election disputes this year have fanned fears of a slide back into authoritarianism.

In the morning, a long line of voters stretched out of a polling station and down the road in the capital Accra’s Tema West district for the presidential and parliamentary poll.

Efua Opoku-Ware, 18, said she was voting “for a better leader who will address the unemployment situation and give hope to the youth for a better future,” without saying who she had picked.

There are 12 presidential candidates, but most voters are likely to choose between Akufo-Addo and his New Patriotic Party, and former president Mahama and his National Democratic Congress.

The parties have alternated in power since 1992 and this is the third straight election in which Akufo-Addo and Mahama have faced off.

Commentators say Akufo-Addo has a slight lead based on his performance during the pandemic, in which his administration provided free water and subsidised electricity to households.

Last year Ghana emerged from a three-year lending programme with the International Monetary Fund only for the pandemic to knock demand for its key exports of oil and cocoa. It is now suffering its first quarterly contraction in nearly 40 years.

If re-elected for a second four-year term, Akufo-Addo has promised to push ahead with a $17 billion recovery programme to boost jobs. Mahama’s keystone pledge is a $10 billion infrastructure plan.

The two sides agreed on Friday to resolve any electoral disputes in court, after fears that unofficial security groups hired by politicians could disrupt the vote.

Domestic election observers said voting in the morning was peaceful, and there were no reports of major disruptions.

“My expectation is that the work the government has done in these four years will find favour with the Ghanaian people today and that our mandate will be renewed,” Akufo-Addo said after voting in his eastern hometown of Kyebi.

Polls closed at 5 p.m. (1700 GMT) and, shortly after, counting began at the Ridge Church polling Station in Accra, a Reuters reporter said. The first results are expected on Tuesday or Wednesday.

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NRM candidates kick off hunt of support for Museveni in Kamwokya

By
Ronard Shabomwe
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NRM candidates meeting at TLC Kisenyi 2 Kamwokya. Photo by Ronard Shabomwe.

The National Resistance Movement-NRM Candidates of Kamwokya have started a campaign of looking for support for President Museveni in Kamwokya and nearby areas.

These candidates include those contesting for various positions like councilors, local council 1 among others in Kamwokya and Mulimira zone, city suburbs.

The candidates reason that they intend to look for support of their NRM flag bear Yoweri Tibuhaburwa Museveni as they move sensitizing youth to shun away from engaging in protests which end up costing their lives.

Faisal Mukiibi one of the candidates on NRM veteran league says they are doing that because Kamwokya has many youth who are always drug abusing. He adds that such youth have been easily used by opposition hence causing riots in the city.

Mukiibi argues that unlike in the past where Museveni has been getting more support in Kamwokya, this time it is a challenge because Kamwokya is a grass root of Robert Kyagulanyi, the national unity platform flag bearer, therefore, as NRM candidates they are obliged to look for support to maintain their support.

According to James Kakooza, an NRM candidate for councilor LC 2 Kamwokya 2, they are for the first time witnessing the defacing of campaign posters of NRM candidates especially President Museveni. Kakooza says by seeing this, they have decided to become ambassadors for NRM and their president to win hearts of the youth in Kamwokya.

Maria Namitala, a woman councilor LC 3 Kamwokya, says, Kamwokya being the head quarter of NUP, as NRM candidates, they will have to fight hard to look for support as well. Namitala adds that they will have to move to different slum areas where they know that opposition has support, particularly People power.

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Mercy Kainobwisho replaces Bemanya Twebaze as Registrar General at URSB

By
Our Reporter
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Mercy Kainobwisho

 

 

Mercy Kainobwisho has been appointed as the Registrar General at Uganda Registration Services Bureau replacing long serving Bemanya Twebaze.

Her appointment follows the election of Mr. Bemanya Twebaze as Director General of the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO).

The Board of Directors conducted internal interviews of prospective candidates on December 2, 2020, and Ms. Kainobwisho emerged the successful candidate. She was subsequently recommended by the Board of Directors, for the appointment, to the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affair, the line ministry with oversight of Uganda Registration Services Bureau. The Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs Prof. Ephraim Kamuntu made the appointment confirmation on December 8, 2020.

Ms. Mercy Kainobwisho is an Advocate of the High Court of Uganda with 15 years’ experience specializing in Intellectual Property Business and company Law. Kainobwisho is currently the Director of Intellectual Property having successfully served as the Director Business Registration. She has previously worked as a Manager of Intellectual Property at URSB, a State Attorney with Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs and as a Legal Assistant in charge of Intellectual Property and Commercial Transactions at Shonubi Musoke & Co Advocates.

Ms.Kainobwisho is a member of the Uganda Law Society, East African Law Society, the Uganda Women Lawyers Association, Rotary International, Toastmasters International and is the Coordinator of the Optimal Social Funds social organization that supports the skilling of vulnerable/disadvantaged youths.

She is the current President of the Rotary Club of Bukoto. She has won several awards in performance and leadership including being awarded as the Best Female Corporate Lawyer in Public Service in 2018, Best 40 under 40 young people in Uganda in 2017 by Sunday Vision and was listed among 40 most influential women in Africa in 2019 by African Diversity and Inclusion Center- a non profit organisation that aims to make increased diversity and inclusion on the African continent.

she starts off her new role on December 22, 2020 and will consolidate the gains already made by Mr. Bemanya and the URSB team.

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Life Care Charity signs a digital skilling partnership with Private Sector Foundation

By
Simon Kabayo
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Mr. Mohammed Kaliisa

 

 

Life Care Charity, a non-governmental organization offering a comprehensive package on vocational and technical skills training signed a memorandum of understanding with Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU) as a partner for the Skills Development Facility Project under window 3.

The partnership will implement Life Care Charity’s bespoke Social Skilling Ecosystem Model – a comprehensive approach to skills development that utilizes the authentic learning methodology blended with practical experience supported by expert coaches and mentors, brought together by a bespoke Digital Skilling Hub Learning Management System.

Mr. Mohammed Kaliisa, Chairman Life Care Charity emphasized that Lifecare Digital Skilling Hub System will be a comprehensive skilling model that will aim at equipping learners to acquire market-ready modern skills by combining vocational skills foundation with business management fundamentals, practical demonstration, and follow-on technical assistance to equip learners to acquire and apply skills in real-world scenarios. Life Care will offer trainees a variety of skills required for holistic education and employment opportunities in various creative practical fields.

The Life Care – PSFU MoU resulted from a highly competitive proposal application submitted to Private Sector Foundation Uganda where Life Care Charity emerged one of the best successful applicants. Mr. Mohammed Kaliisa stressed that this collaboration will build on the work of vocational and technical skills training, especially at a time the world is evolving on digital and innovation skills. The long-term outcome will make our on-demand Digital Skilling Hub publicly available to self-paced learners.

Life Care Charity will bring on board additional cohorts of individual and organization-sponsored leaners from partnerships across the corporate world, community-based organizations, NGOS, special interest groups, and government ministries, departments and agencies. Mr. Kaliisa thanked the Private sector Foundation for this innovative partnership agreement that was signed by Mr Gideon Badagawa the Executive Director and Ms Ruth Biyinzika Musoke Head Skills Development Facility on November 18, 2020.

 

 

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Expanding social protection programme receives 135 motorcycles 

By
Our Reporter
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The Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Programme has received 135 motorcycles to support the implementation of the Senior Citizens Grant (SCG) under the Social Assistance Grant for Empowerment (SAGE).

The State Minister for Elderly and the Disabled  Sarah Kanyike flagged off the trucks loaded with motorcycles at a colourful function which took place at Kololo ceremonial grounds on today December 8, 2020. Due to the #Covid-19 pandemic, a few Chief Administrative Officers were present to receive the motorcycles. Other districts will receive the bikes through the Regional Offices across the country.  Ms Kanyike appreciated the challenges field staff go through to implement Programme activities.

“it is for this reason, that my Ministry, working together with Development Partners agreed to provide means of transport to our field staff to enable them reach out to older persons. The motorcycles we are handing over today will greatly support the implementation of the Programme” She said.

Government, in partnership with Development Partners; Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and Irish Aid, procured the motorcycles to support the implementation of the SAGE Programme at the grassroots.

The Senior Community Development Officer (SCDO) is the SAGE Focal Person at the district. Working together with the Regional Technical Support Units of the Programme, The SCDOs are continually in touch with the Sub-county and Parish Chiefs, mainly to do mobilization work for the Programme.  The provision of the motorcycles will support the day to day running of Programme activities by the SAGE Focal Persons.

The programme provides monthly grants of Shs25,000 to older persons who are 80 years and above in 135 districts. The Senior Citizens Grant was started 10 years ago, with the intention of enabling older persons meet their basic needs, access basic services, and to start income generating activities in their communities. The Programme has since been rollout to cover all districts in Uganda.

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Hearing of Samantha Mwesigye’s sexual harassment case against Deputy Solicitor set for March

By
Geoffery Serugo
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Samantha Mwesigye

The hearing of sexual harassment and termination case against the Deputy Solicitor General Christopher Gashirabike and the Attorney General has been set for March 10, 2021.

In December 2019, Senior State Attorney, Samantha Mwesigye dragged Deputy Solicitor General Christopher Gashirabike and the Attorney General William Byaruhanga to the Industrial Court seeking for justice. She wants to be reinstated on her job and be compensated for damages.

Speaking to this website, Mwesigye said; “My lawyers were called at 4pm on Friday and informed the case was on for Mention today at 9:30am. They also tried to call the Attorney General’s office but no one picked the phone so they didn’t appear.”

She said Gashirabake sexually harassed her for over 10 years even though he is the Chairman of the disciplinary committee at the ministry.

She denies sleeping with her Gashirabake as alleged by some of her associates, saying it is the reason why he has sexually harassed her for a decade. “People are trying to make it look like I slept with him and now that it has gone sour I have chosen to speak out,” she says, adding in an audio that she has become a subject of conversation in the public with some people supporting her while others disagreeing with her story.

Mwesigye said Gashirabake put her into hell with his sexual advances that could latter affect her professional work as well as personal development. She says she has never been in a private space with Gashirabake or even had lunch with him despite his requests.

Sexual harassment committee later exonerated Gashirabake.

Pursuing Masters’ degree

Ms Mwesigye who has been employed in the ministry since 2007 further reveals that Gashirabake who also worked in the Solicitor General’s office at one time had also gone ahead to frustrate her ambitions of gaining a Masters’ degree in Executive LLM in Public Procurement Law and Policy.

She had been admitted to the University of Nottingham the course commencing in September 2011.

She says it was the current Solicitor General Francis Atuke who enabled her to do her masters after being frustrated for one and half years, having been approved to get the funds to enable her study. “I got my masters when Mr Atoke was first appointed Solicitor General He found my request pending after having pursued it for one and half years and was being frustrated. I was even put aside for someone who was on probation and didn’t qualify,” she says.

She adds: “He called me and asked why I was sidelined and then approved my masters. It was the decision of the new Solicitor General as he was then who had never seen me before who approved it.”

After listening to Ms Mwesigye’s ordeal Atoke wrote to the university. “We are committed to paying her tuition charged at Seven Thousand Pounds … for the duration of the course. We would further request that you allow her commence the course while we process the payment which shall not be latter than the end of October. The delay is to allow us follow the mandatory procedures attached to spending government money,” Atoke who was then the Acting Solicitor General said in a letter dated August 29, 2011 to the Postgraduate Admission Office of Nottingham University, UK.

The official who she says she studies with his daughters at university also went ahead to frustrate her when she qualified for UNDP-sponsored course on procurement to the extent that she reached the Office of the Prime Minister for intervention.

Her promotion to Senior State Attorney

In 2015 Ms Mwesigye was offered an appointment on promotion to Senior State Attorney by the Public Service Commission that sent Ms Mwesigye’s appointment letter through the Director Legal Services in the ministry who would in turn congratulate her and append his signature on that appointment letter. She denies she was wrongly promoted.

The letter of promotion was written by Mr Atoke on November 12, 2015 and copied also to Auditor General Audit Department, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Public Service and the Secretary Public Service Commission under PSC minute No. 1654 of 2015.

Employment Act prohibits Sexual harassment. The Penal Code has sanctions against perpetrators of sexual harassment. Any person who intends to insult the modesty of any woman or girl, utters any word, makes any sound or gesture or exhibits any object, intending that such word or sound shall be heard, or that such gesture or object shall be seen by such woman or girl, or intrudes upon the privacy of such woman or girl, commits a misdemeanour and is liable to imprisonment for one year.

In addition Employment act (Sexual Harassment) Regulations 2012 prescribes that those who contravene the sexual harassment related provisions commit an offence and are liable, on conviction, to a fine not exceeding six currency points or imprisonment not exceeding three months or both.

Sexual harassment affects ones esteem and productivity at a work place and it is prudent to report to relevant authorities, experts say.

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First person receives #Covid-19 vaccine

By
Isaiah Mwebaze
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#Covid-19 vaccine

Margaret Keenan, 90, has gone down in history as the first person to receive the #Covid-19 vaccine in the United Kingdom. The vaccine that was tested on a number of volunteers is said to have 99.9 per cent success with over 800,000 vaccines set to be released before the end of this month.

This news couldn’t have come sooner as many around the world have and still continue to suffer and succumb to the airborne virus; further affecting the economy and leading to global shutdowns but with the discovery of the vaccine by German companies Biotech-Pfizer there is now hope for the future.

“I feel so privileged to be the first person vaccinated against #Covid-19, it’s the best early birthday present I could wish for because it means I can finally look forward to spending time with my family and friends in the new year after being on my own for most of the year,” said Keenan.

Although skeptics continue to doubt the full potential of the new vaccine, Prof Stephen Powis, national medical director of NHS England strongly vouches for it, describing it as one of the safest forms of medication after having been tested in thousands of volunteers through clinical trials.

Although the vaccine isn’t expected to be produced on a large scale until next year, at least 4 million patients are expected to be treated before the end of this month alone. This comes at a crucial time when governments and medical institutions are overwhelmed by the number of patients suffering with covid while the resources slowly but surely deplete.

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Sub-Saharan Africa to grow by 3.6% – Standard Chartered’s economic outlook

By
Geoffery Serugo
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Standard Chartered logo

Standard Chartered’s economic look ahead for 2021 inevitably centres on how the Covid shock has been unprecedented in modern times.

Governments and corporates alike have suffered profound damage to their balance sheets; repairing them is likely to be a multi-year process. The economic shock in 2020 could have been much more severe without the quick and dramatic response from central banks and governments globally. Having learned the lessons of the global financial crisis, policy makers moved swiftly to limit the downside to their economies.

More Covid vaccines are likely to receive regulatory approval in the coming weeks, although the positive growth impact is unlikely to be fully felt until second quarter of 2021. Given capacity constraints and logistical issues, distribution is likely to be uneven across countries.

Vaccine rollout will allow for the resumption of travel and tourism, supporting the economic recovery. Standard Chartered expects global GDP growth to bounce back to 4.8 per cent in 2021 from a 3.8 per cent contraction in 2020. While the 4.8 per cent growth forecast is well above global average growth over the past 10 years (3.7 per cent), the expected recovery next year will not fully close the output gap created by the Covid crisis. Given their particularly deep recessions in 2020, the euro area and India are unlikely to return to 2019 GDP levels until 2022.

The Bank expects the recovery to strengthen in second quarter of 2021 as investment picks up. Earlier in the year, particularly in Q1, lockdowns and social-distancing measures are likely to continue to constrain activity. As of early December, the US and parts of Europe were still seeing elevated case counts; the economic impact of this is likely to be felt in early 2021.

While the US, the euro area and Japan are likely to recover next year, it is expected that Asia – particularly China and India will lead the global economic rebound. China is likely to continue its strong recovery (forecast 8.0 per cent growth in 2021), having already exceeded end-2019 GDP levels in 2020. Among Asian economies, India has faced the sharpest negative shock, with an expected GDP contraction of around 8.0 per cent in FY21 (year ending in March 2021).

Standard Chartered also expects growth in Sub-Saharan Africa (3.6 per cent), MENAP (2.0 per cent) and Latin America (3.9 per cent) to pick up in 2021; MENAP and SSA experienced less severe growth shocks this year, so their recovery is likely to be muted. In Latam, a healthy pick-up following a fairly sharp decline in 2020 and a few years of soft growth prior to that is expected.

The Bank expects global growth to normalise to 4.0 per cent in 2022. This is roughly in line with the average c.3.7 per cent growth rate of the past 10 years and is an improvement from 2019 (2.9 per cent); heading into this year. Central banks around the world are likely to maintain an accommodative policy stance until growth recovers on a more sustained basis.

Standard Chartered’s growth outlook assumes that vaccines will be rolled out from early 2021 and reach large parts of the population by Q3-2021. It also assumes that major central banks will maintain their accommodative stance, continuing to support the growth recovery.

Furthermore, the Bank assumes inflation will not be a major concern for policy makers in 2021. That said, supply-side inflation is a potential risk supply-chain disruptions and logistics bottlenecks could cause raw-material and transportation prices to rise, potentially complicating the policy path for central banks.

Kaushik Rudra, Global Head, Fixed Income Research and Head, Asia Research, commented: “Central banks globally have cut interest rates and expanded their balance sheets, and governments have delivered large fiscal stimulus packages. While these measures have been effective in containing downside risks to economic growth, they have come at the cost of stretched sovereign balance sheets and increased levels of indebtedness. This large-scale support was the right response to the crisis, but it has depleted the policy cupboard. The concern is that policy makers have few remaining options in case setbacks to the economic recovery require additional policy support.”

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NRM’s Kasule Lumumba on the spot over exorbitant corruption and embezzlement of campaign funds

By
Our Reporter
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NRM Secretary General Justin Kasule Lumumba

The Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga has reportedly briefed the chairman of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) President Yoweri Museveni over exorbitant corruption and embezzlement of funds at the secretariat.

According to the source at the NRM secretariat, youth reported to Ms. Rebecca that they are only accorded Shs150,000 as transport refund for attending presidential scientific campaigns in Busoga sub region.

Kadaga told the president that; “Youth are complaining that Shs150,000 is very little. Kindly intervene because your young people are not happy,” it has also been revealed that Museveni got pissed off and called the secretary General Justine Kasule Lumumba for clarification however her phone was off.

Lumumba is reportedly in quarantine at Hotel Africana after testing Positive of Covid-19. The resident there after asked his body guard to get him Emmanuel Ddombo or Director Finance and administration at the secretariat Madina Naham but all efforts hit a snug.

Mr. Museveni however revealed that he released Shs50 billion to facilitate scientific campaigns. She reported that all delegates have only been receiving Shs100,000 instead of Shs250,000 as the president directed.

“Rt. Honorable speaker you just wait. I’m going to squeeze those people to cough the enjawulo they have been eating on each delegate. You wait you are going to see real fire in CEC one of these days. Their days are numbered,” Museveni said.

It has also been reported that rental payments for 13 Kyadondo Road hangs in balance implying that Lumumba has been diverting money for rent.

Dr Tanga Odoi also questioned Kasule Lumumba on how and where the rent money disappeared. Dr Tanga Odoi asked Kasule to account for the money as Sudhir’s Crane Management services has not received rent for three years.

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Uganda’s final squad for U17 Afcon zonal qualifiers named

By
Our Reporter
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cubs

Hamuza Lutalo, the Head coach of Uganda U17 National football team known as the ‘Cubs’ has named a 20 man squad for the U17 AFCON/CECAFA Zonal Qualifiers in Rwanda.

The tournament is slated to commence on Saturday 12th to 22nd December.

Lutalo will be assisted by Ssenyondo Brian as his assistant coach, and Kiberu Mubarak as the goalkeeping coach. KCCA Soccer Academy defender Ibrahim Juma will be the team captain.

Uganda is pitted in Group A alongside Kenya, South Sudan and Ethiopia. Group B has hosts Rwanda, Tanzania, Sudan and Djibouti.

The two best teams will qualify to represent the zone in the Africa Cup of Nations U-17 tournament in 2021.

Uganda is the reigning U17 CECAFA champion and will be looking at defending it in order to qualify for the African Cup of Nations U17 Finals that will be staged in Morocco.

Squad;

Goalkeepers: Mwebe Henry (Express Fc Junior Team), Magada Abdu (Busoga United Junior Team), Oyirwoth Humphrey (Express Fc Junior Team)

Defenders: Mulema Vincent (Kyetume Fc Junior Team), Ibrahim Juma (KCCA SA), Luyima Enock (Volf SA), Mukisa Simon KCCA SA), Gava Peter (Express FC Junior Team), Madoi Ronald (Wakiso Giants Junior Team)

Midfielders: Irinimbabazi Ivan (Bright Stars FC, Junior Team), Kaliisa Shugai (Express FC Junior Team), Mutyaba Travis (Vipers Sc Junior Team), Mwanje Elvis Eddy (KCCA SA), Mudiba Samir (Express Fc Junior Team)

Forwards: Magogo Shafiq (KCCA SA), Mubiru Hassan (Express Fc Junior Team), Mawa Oscar (KCCA FC SA), Bugembe Issa (Bright Stars FC Junior Team), Jumbe Fahad (Vipers SC Junior Team), Basil Tenywa Tuma (Eton College, United Kingdom).

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