Stanbic Bank
Stanbic Bank
21.8 C
Kampala
Stanbic Bank
Stanbic Bank
Home Blog Page 941

Uganda Airlines to resume its flights in October

By
Our Reporter
-
Uganda Airlines plane at Entebbe International Airport

Uganda Airlines is scheduled to resume its international flights on October 1st 2020 after five months of six months’ lockdown.

Last week, President Yoweri Museveni lifted the lockdown on air space among others following the closure of Entebbe international airport in April. The closure according to president Museveni peddled at curbing the spread of the deadly covid-19 pandemic.

According to a statement released by Uganda Airlines, the airliner will start its services with destinations in the month of October 2020. The destinations include; Nairobi, Dar-es-salaam, Juba and Mogadishu. Flights to previously served cities include; Bujumbura, Mombasa, Zanzibar will come later.

“Our plans to the Africa Network expansion will continue and we plan to launch scheduled operations to Johannesburg, Kinshasa, Harare, Lusaka and will resume in November,” reads in part of the statement.

The company expressed its commitment to keeping passengers safe, and health through strict adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) peddled at curbing the spread of Covid-19 and compliance with the national and international guidelines for safe air travel in light of Covid-19.

Stories Continues after ad

Fufa, NCS to meet after sports was given green-light to resume

By
Our Reporter
-
Uganda Canes fans at Namboole

The National Council of Sports (NCS) and its 51 member associations, including Fufa, will virtually meet this Friday to find a way forward after sports resumption was okayed.

President Yoweri Museveni on Sunday addressed the nation on the status of Covid-19 and among the containment restrictions lifted, was the suspension on sporting activities.

Football, netball, basketball among other activities categorized under mass gatherings, have been on a lockdown since March 18th.

“Open air activities of sports will re-open provided there are no spectators and the players are tested for Covid-19, 72 hours before,” said the President.

“This test will expire in 14 days. Hence, the sportsmen (and women) will have to repeat the test. With tournaments, teams should be quarantined for the whole (duration) season of the competition,” added Museveni.

Meanwhile, testing at a government facility goes for Shs 240,000 per person, while it is Shs 350,000 and above privately.

According to NCS general secretary, Patrick Ogwel, the above and several other concerning issues including financial implications that come with cost of tests will be discussed at the meeting with federations on Friday.

Fufa have committed to taking care of teams in the different league playoffs.

“We have the Big League playoffs, Regional playoffs and the Women Elite League playoffs first,” Ahmed Hussein, the Fufa head of communications is quoted by the UPL website.

“We shall take care of all the teams accommodation, Covid tests and all involved.”

However, Hussein also admitted that clubs taking on costs for Covid tests will be a huge burden for them.

“Of course as Fufa, we can’t just look on but like I said, we shall need concerted effort from the clubs, us as Fufa and government to help. These will be addressed when we meet with NCS,” he said.

Stories Continues after ad

Cheptegei and Kiplimo lead Team Uganda for 2020 World Athletics Half Marathon Championships

By
Our Reporter
-
Joshua Cheptegei & Jacob Kiplimo

World 10,000m champion Joshua Cheptegei and world 3000m leader Jacob Kiplimo are among the athletes selected to represent Uganda at the World Athletics Half Marathon Championships Gdynia 2020 on 17th October in Poland.

Cheptegei, the world cross-country champion, broke the world 5000m record at the Wanda Diamond League meeting in Monaco last month with 12:35.36 and is targeting a tilt on the 10,000m mark on 7 October before heading to Poland.

Kiplimo, meanwhile, won the 5000m at the World Athletics Continental Tour meeting in Ostrava with a PB of 12:48.63 and then went on to triumph over 3000m at the Wanda Diamond League meeting in Rome in a world-leading 7:26.64, breaking the Ugandan record and becoming the fastest teenager in history for the distance.

Given their exploits on the track in recent months, Cheptegei and Kiplimo will be among the medal favourites when they take to the startline in Gdynia – despite the fact that both men will be making their half marathon debut.

They are joined on the team by 2009 world U20 cross-country bronze medallist Moses Kibet, Stephen Kissa and Abel Chebet.

Juliet Chekwel, who holds the Ugandan records for 10,000m (31:37.99), half marathon (1:09:45) and the marathon (2:23:13), leads the women’s team.

Doreen Chemutai, Doreen Chesang, Rachael Zena Chebet make up the rest of the Ugandan women’s roster.

Ugandan team for Gdynia

Men: Abel Chebet, Joshua Cheptegei, Moses Kibet, Jacob Kiplimo, Stephen Kissa

Women: Juliet Chekwel, Doreen Chemutai, Doreen Chesang, Rachael Zena Chebet

Stories Continues after ad

EC fails to enforce COVID-19 SOPs in Kampala nominations

By
Ronard Shabomwe
-
Aspirants registering at the gate of Rubaga Division without Observing SOPs.(photo by Ronard Shabomwe)

The Electoral Commission offices in Kampala have failed to observe physical distancing guidelines as they nominate candidates for local council positions.

For a process that started as early as 8; 00 am, several candidates entered the nomination premises without washing their hands as many wore their masks on their chin.

In many of the nomination areas of Nakawa, Kawempe and Lubaga divisions, the numbers were overwhelming and it was impossible for the small offices to contain the candidates let alone enabling social distancing.

In Rubaga division, although there are two washing facilities at the entrance because it is unmanned, several aspirants are seen passing through without washing their hands.

The security personnel who are meant to ensure there is strict adherence to hand washing and standard operating procedures are camped outside the gate and interacting with some of the candidates. No temperature is being checked for all the candidates, and also almost everyone has a mask, many of them have it dressed on their chin.

Candidates and their entourage and all in one tent barely a meter away from each other and the number of people have not also been restricted. There were over 150 people in the premises of the electoral commission.

In Ntinda area, which houses the Nakawa division electoral commission, with over 300 people, the place is congested with people putting on their masks at will. Several candidates also complained about the lack of physical distancing but lacked what to do.

At the entrance, a handwashing facility existed but people washed hands at will.

According to a contestant Hamza Kajimu who had just finalised nominations for the post of Kampala Central LCV, he was surprised at the number of people but also the lack of social distancing. He says a clear strategy should be worked on to avoid any spreading of the virus.

The Returning officer of the area Fredrick Muwaya Tibakuno, however, said that they will try as much as possible to meet the standard operating procedures. He says they were, for instance, installing more hand washing taps.

At Kawempe however, a security officer is at the gate blocking those entering without masks. Some of the aspirants have ended up purchasing masks from nearby shops to enter the electoral commission offices. Many aspirants also put off their masks as they sit and talk to colleagues. The aspirants like in many other areas are also sited close to each other not maintaining social distance.

Stories Continues after ad

PWDs decry inaccessibility at Rubaga Division EC offices

By
Ronard Shabomwe
-

Persons with disabilities have found it hard while accessing the premises of Rubaga division Electoral commission offices during nomination exercise.

These are people with physical impairments who use wheelchairs, under-arm crutches and those with visual impairments. Over thirty persons with disabilities showed up for nominations.

Lawrence Mwenda the chairperson of Ndeeba disability council has a physical disability and uses a wheelchair, he explains that the whole system at the division excludes persons with disabilities of all forms of conditions.

“I have spent over ten minutes waiting for whoever could help me to access the offices. This is a public office that should be accessed by all people regardless of their conditions.” Mwenda notes.

Mwenda was carried by two gentlemen with his wheelchair to move steps which he could not do without any help to enter the office where the persons with disabilities are being nominated.

Mwenda who is also a secretary of Rubaga division disability council appeals to the electoral commission to intervene and always prepare for them the environment where they can access without challenges.

Moreen Karungi who uses under arm crutches narrates that what they have found at the divisions shows that there is still a big gap in addressing challenges that PWDs experience in accessing public facilities.

Karungi who is the aspiring Local council 3 councilor for Persons with disabilities in Rubaga notes that they have been left behind in many sectors. Adding that they are rarely thought about.

There was also the challenge of lack of sign language interpreter(s) who could help persons with hearing impairment. The person with hearing impairment to appear today could first write on a piece of a paper to communicate to the officers.

According to Ismael Sserwadda there chairperson of persons with disabilities in Rubaga Division, in such a process where they expect persons with disabilities of all kinds, there should be all the necessary facilities to help them access services.

He says that the police helped them by allowing them to enter with the car, however, the car will not enter the office.

“We know that they are still renting someone’s house which means they might not change much about the environment but they should try, at least putting for us the desk outside. Now how will some of us access the offices?” he asks.

However, the returning officer of Rubaga Division Ezra Ongaria explains that inaccessibility of persons with disabilities is still a challenge. Adding that when he saw that, he employed some boys and girls who help in lifting whoever has a challenge.

On the issue of considering other impaired persons like those with visual impairment, he says they have no sign language interpreter.

Electoral commission kicked off nominations of Local government councils and division chairpersons/mayors today and they are taking place at District/Division levels.

Stories Continues after ad

Archbishop Kaziimba urges gov’t to reconsider number of worshipers as churches reopen

By
Our Reporter
-
Archbishop stephen-Kaziimba

The Archbishop of Church of Uganda has called upon to government to reconsider the number of people allowed to attend services as churches re-open after almost six months in lockdown.

Archbishop Stephen Samuel Kaziimba’s appeal is detailed in a letter issued on Monday, 21st September in which he also thanked the President, the Ministry of Health, and the National Covid Task Force for their unwavering commitment to keeping Ugandans as safe as possible during this Covid-19 pandemic.

While addressing the nation yesterday, President Yoweri Museveni announced that churches will be allowed to reopen but with a limited number of worshipers.

Churches together with other places of worship, were closed in March as the country put in place measures to control the spread of coronavirus.

“Places of Worship allowed to reopen, with numbers not exceeding 70 people and observing other SOPs. Night prayers are not allowed,” Museveni said in his address to the nation.

However, Kaziimba has appealed to the government to offer maximum seating based on the number of square metres in the worship space rather than a fixed number of people, regardless of the size of the room.

“For larger congregations, it will be impossible for the entire congregation to be able to gather in different groups of 70 people for a corporate worship service. My own Cathedral, for example, averages 4,000 people on a Sunday spread across three different services. To cater for all 4000 people in groups of 70, we would need to schedule 57 different worship services, which is simply not practical.” Kaziimba writes.

“We appeal to the government to reconsider the guidelines and offer maximum seating based on the number of square metres in the worship space rather than a fixed number of people, regardless of the size of the room.”

He added, “We also appeal to the government to allow outdoor gatherings for worship with all appropriate SOPs in place.”

The Archbishop also thanked the First Lady and Minister of Education, Hon. Janet Museveni, and her entire team at the Ministry of Education for working tirelessly to keep children learning even when schools were closed for classes.

He urged all Church of Uganda-founded schools to work closely with the Ministry of Education to ensure the safe return of children to school.

“As schools re-open for candidate classes and finalists, I urge all Church of Uganda-founded schools to work closely with the Ministry of Education to ensure the safe return of our children to school. The Provincial Directorate for Education is also available for support.

“We thank the National Council for Higher Education for approving UCU to begin offering online classes in a few weeks. This is a breakthrough in Business Unusual; UCU’s leadership and administration is also to be commended for the many hours of work and preparation to reach this milestone.” Kaziimba said.

Kaziimba also called upon Ugandans to observe a Thanksgiving on Sunday, 4th October 2020. He adds that those who have been setting aside their offerings and keeping it aside since the lockdown started, it will be the day.

“Finally, early on in the lockdown, I promised that when churches re-opened for public worship that we would have a general Thanksgiving to the Lord for keeping us and bringing us this far. I, therefore, invite every congregation in the Church of Uganda to observe a Thanksgiving on Sunday, 4th October. If you have been setting aside your offering and keeping it until this day of Thanksgiving, it is now here.” he concluded.

Stories Continues after ad

EC declines to release Museveni’s academic documents

By
Our Reporter
-
President Yoweri Museveni

The Electoral Commission has declined to release President Museveni’s academic documents that were requested for by lawyer Muwada Nkunyingi who subscribes to Robert Kyagulanyi’s National Unity Platform (NUP).

In a statement dated  September 3 2020 from Leonard Mulekwah, the body’s Acting Secretary, EC started off with addressing doubts to whether President Museveni’s documents were verified back in 2016.

“Kindly note and be informed that the academic documents for candidate Yoweri Kaguta Museveni as presented in 2016 didn’t require verification since they are governed under section 4 (15) of the Presidential Act, 2005.” Reads part of the statement.

The controversy started after City lawyer Male Mabirizi asked for Bobi Wine’s academic documents that the election body released within three days before he went to court to contest Kyagulanyi’s age and authenticity of his academic documents.

EC also clarified that the Museveni was duly and legally nominated. “As to whether the nomination was proper and or legal or legitimate, please note that the particular issue was conclusively canvassed in PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION PETITION No. 01 of 2018 (Amama Mbabazi Vs Museveni, EC and Ors) Supreme Court of Uganda at Page 7 thereof; The Justices inter alia made the following remarks:

“Based on our findings… we find that the 2nd respondent nominated the 1st respondent as a Presidential candidate in accordance with provisions of the PEA…. Accordingly, we find that there was no failure with provisions of the respondent to comply with… the PEA,” Mulekwah added.

Early this month, Nkunyingi said he would exhaust all legal means to force the Electoral Commission to avail him with academic documents that candidate Museveni used in the 2016 elections.

Below is Bobi Wine’s response;

Countrymen and women!

The emperor is naked. The partiality of an Electoral Commission which claims to be independent yet again lies bare for all to see.

A few weeks back, someone working on the regime’s prompting applied to have my academic documents released. In only 3 days, the process to release my documents was already underway.

The same Electoral Commission has taken a month to respond to a request for Gen. Museveni’s academic documents. When they finally responded, they are speaking in tongues. The law does not empower any government body to determine the legality of the reasons given for demand of public documents. The Electoral Commission in a very clear indication of bias has taken it upon themselves not to release Gen. Museveni’s papers giving flimsy reasons. Even a child can see that they are embarrassed or scared of releasing the documents.

Doesn’t this lend credence to the assertions that perhaps what we have been dealing with for the last 35 years is a complete sham? If it is not, what are they hiding?

As the lawyers contemplate the next course of action, let me remind Mr. Byabakama and all others at the Electoral Commission that they are on trial. Each day, they continue to fail the test and to expose themselves. Ugandans are watching.

Stories Continues after ad

How police officer and private guard disappeared before fire gutted Makerere University main building

By
Geoffery Serugo
-
ivory tower burnt

A police officer and private security guard have been arrested in relation to the fire outbreak which gutted the Makerere University main building known as The Ivory Tower. Their arrest was confirmed by the spokesperson of Uganda police Fred Enanga.

On Sunday the country woke up to sad news of fire gutting that Ivory Tower building. According to the University, the fire started on Saturday night destroying the top floor before the second phase which occurred yesterday leaving the left wing housing human resource and records department razed down.

Enanga said the police officer and private security guard were arrested for absconding from duty. He said their absence caused grievance damage to the building. “They could have seen the smoke and alerted our team to come and put out fire in the shortest time possible.”

“The private guard was sleeping in his room. His presence could have saved the building. People knocked on his door, however it took him one hour to come out,” he said.

Enanga said the Closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage from the University library has been retrieved and it will be viewed and analyzed to see whether there was someone who accessed the main building before the fire outbreak.

“Our team from the forensic services, Umeme Kawempe branch, risky assessment team from Kampala capital city Authority (KCCA) will soon be on ground to take samples to establish the cause of fire,” he said adding that the cause of fire is still unknown.

Stories Continues after ad

Qatar Airways to resume its flights to Entebbe International Airport

By
Geoffery Serugo
-
qatar airways

Qatar Airways is set to resume its flights to Entebbe international airport after the lifting of lockdown on air space. The reopening is aimed at service the tourism sector whose clients come from abroad.

Last night, President Yoweri Museveni lifted the lockdown on air space among others following the closure of the airport in April. The closure according to president Museveni peddled at curbing the spread of the deadly covid-19 pandemic.

Effective from 3rd October, the airliner will resume its three weekly flights to the country’s airport, Entebbe.

The airline’s variety of fuel-efficient efficient aircraft and strategic network management has enabled it to quickly resume flights and expand services in line with passenger demand. The airline’s resilience and commitment to providing connectivity has also seen it launch several new destinations since the start of the pandemic, including Accra, Brisbane and Cebu.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, Akbar Al Baker, said: “We are proud to be the leading global airline connecting passengers with the world, helping take people safely and sustainably to where they need to be. Having one of the youngest, most fuel-efficient fleets enables us to be agile and respond quickly to passenger demand. Our focus throughout the rebuild of our network is not only on restarting destinations but also operating as many frequencies as possible to provide our passengers the flexibility to travel when they want.

“By continuing to fly during the pandemic while others stopped, we have gained the trust of passengers as an airline they can rely on. We have taken more international passengers home than any other airline during this pandemic and as entry restrictions ease, we remain focused on our fundamental mission of carrying passengers across the globe safely and reliably. There are still millions of people who have not been able to be reunited with their friends and families and it is heartwarming to know our growing network will provide them an opportunity to travel home or take a trip to see loved ones.”

To ensure travellers can plan their travel with peace of mind, the airline has extended its booking policies to offer even more choice to its passengers. The airline will allow unlimited date changes, and passengers can change their destination as often as they need if it is within 5,000 miles of the original destination. The airline will not charge any fare differences for travel completed before 31 December 2020, after which fare rules will apply. All tickets booked for travel up to 31 December 2020 will be valid for two years from the date of issuance.

According to the latest IATA data, Qatar Airways has become the largest international carrier between April to July by fulfilling its mission of taking people home. This enabled the airline to accumulate unmatched experience in carrying passengers safely and reliably and uniquely positioned the airline to effectively rebuild its network. The carrier has stringently implemented the most advanced safety and hygiene measures on board its aircraft and in Hamad International Airport.

Qatar Airways’ onboard safety measures for passengers and cabin crew include the provision of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for cabin crew and a complimentary protective kit and disposable face shields for passengers. Business Class passengers on aircraft equipped with Qsuite can enjoy the enhanced privacy this award-winning business seat provides, including sliding privacy partitions and the option to use a ‘Do Not Disturb (DND)’ indicator.

Qatar Airways operations are not dependent on any specific aircraft type. The airline’s variety of modern fuel-efficient aircraft has meant it can continue flying by offering the right capacity in each market. Due to COVID-19’s impact on travel demand, the airline has taken the decision to ground its fleet of Airbus A380s as it is not commercially or environmentally justifiable to operate such a large aircraft in the current market. The airline’s fleet of 49 Airbus A350 and 30 Boeing 787 are the ideal choice for the most strategically important long-haul routes to Africa, the Americas, Europe and Asia-Pacific regions.

Qatar Airways’ home and hub, Hamad International Airport (HIA), has implemented stringent cleaning procedures and applied social distancing measures throughout its terminals. Passenger touchpoints are sanitized every 10-15 minutes and boarding gates and bus gate counters are cleaned after each flight. In addition, hand sanitizers are provided at immigration and security screening points.

Stories Continues after ad

2021 Elections: Nomination of candidates for Local Government Councils starts today

By
Our Reporter
-
Officials preparing materials for the 2016 elections

The Electoral Commission has approved 21st September to 1st October 2020, as the dates for the nomination of candidates for Local Government Councils Elections 2021.

The nomination of candidates shall take place at the venues indicated in below, during weekdays, beginning at 9.00 a.m. and ending at 5:00pm on each of the appointed dates.

District/City Chairpersons and Councillors: 21st Sept – 1st Oct 2020 at the respective District Headquarters.elec

Municipality/City Division Chairpersons and Councillors: 21st Sept – 1st Oct 2020 at the respective District Headquarters.

Sub County/Town/Municipal Division Chairpersons and Councillors: 21st Sept –1st Oct 2020 at Tue respective County Headquarters.

The nomination exercise will be followed by a campaign period leading to the polling days for the various elective positions (above), during the period January 10th – February 8th 2021.

All persons aspiring to contest in the elections are urged to familiarize themselves with the requirements for nomination for each elective position, as outlined in the Guidelines issued by the Electoral Commission.

Furthermore, aspiring candidates can collect copies of the nomination forms and the above guidelines from the District Electoral Commission offices in each district across the country, or obtain soft copies of the forms and guidelines from the Electoral Commission website: www.ec.or.ug

Stories Continues after ad
1...940941942...2,375Page 941 of 2,375

© Eagle Online. All rights reserved.

About Us

Popular Category

Editor Picks