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IUIU launches innovations in response to #Covid-19

By
Ronard Shabomwe
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The Islamic University in Uganda –IUIU  has launched five innovations in response to the #Covid-19 pandemic to limit it from being further spread.

The launched innovations include the automatic hands-free dispenser (30 sets), plastic face shields and cloth mask made by the IUIU motion analysis research laboratory(MARL), instant hand sanitizer (1030 liters) by the department of pharmacy of the IUIU Habib medical school and online learning platform made by the IUIU team at the main campus Mbale.

The automatic hands-free dispenser uses solar energy but it can also be connected to electricity and a set of it costs them around Shs1.5 million to have it in place.

This technology of the automatic hands-free dispenser dispenses soap, gives you time of about 10 seconds to rub before it can give you rinsing water. Every time the system gets used, it can be monitored under the two parameters of performance in terms of operations and how many people are using it at a time.

During the launch at the University branch in Kibuli Kampala, the University Rector, Dr. Ahmed Kawesa Ssengendo explains that the realization of how devastating the pandemic can be has motivated a team of students and staff of IUIU to think of creative ways to make sure that they also limit the spread of the virus.

Dr. Ssengendo said they have other Innovations they have made that include automatic greenhouse for growing plants, wearable jackets for the blind and elderly, automatic floor cleaner and pot-hole mapping Robot.

He calls upon all Ugandans to work innovatively to contribute in fighting the virus. Adding that “We cannot just hope that #Covid-19 will go away without contributing to fighting it”

The Innovations has been funded by Islamic World Education, Scientific and cultural organisation (ICESCO). This is one of the organisations of Islamic cooperation (OIC) institutes, based in Rabbat, Morocco.

According to Dr. Ssengendo, they financed the production of the automatic hands free dispenser and sanitizers with a grant of $ 20,000(Shs72m)

He explains how some of these innovations work and that most of them will be donated to some of their Institutions for using.

Elioda Tumwesigye the minister of Science, Technology and Innovations who was the guest of honor says that the pandemic has awakened many Ugandans especially scientists to be innovative.

Minister Elioda notes that no one is sure when the virus will leave this world, therefore, Ugandans have the role to play in fighting the virus. Adding that by coming up with such innovations, there will be hope for the safety of Ugandans.

“I want to thank you for these wonderful innovations that we have launched. We hope they will help and contribute in fighting the virus.” The Minister adds.

The country representative of ICESCO Dr. Mouhammad Mpezamihigo who is also the vice Chancellor Kampala International University applauded the innovators and pledged for more support from ICESCO.

The ceremony was also attended by Rosie Agoi, Secretary General Uganda National Commission for UNESCO/ICESCO who notes that its high time everyone starts thinking about how to fight the virus and keep their lives safe.

Agoi adds that if the government and other stakeholders can help innovators by funding them, there will be hope for a better future full of innovations.

Islamic University in Uganda joins other academic institutions like Makerere University through the Research and Innovation Fund (Mak-RIF), that innovated an automated hand washing kit for public shared spaces.

 

 

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Ministry of Health urges manufacturers to employ strict protocols against the spread of COVID-19

By
Our Reporter
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UMA Team during the Inspection at the plant

Uganda Manufacturers Association (UMA) and Ministry of Health have urged manufacturers to establish strict protocols against the spread of COVID-19 at their factories in Uganda.

This call was made during a site visit to factories to assess their work place health and safety standards in regards to Covid -19 Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). According to the UMA executive Director, Mr. Daniel Birungi, the site visits to factories is an initiative aimed at curbing the spread of Covid-19.

“As UMA, we have started working with the Ministry of Health having recognized that it is our role as a body that brings together manufacturers to assess their readiness to manage Covid-19.” Birungi said. While conducting a joint inspection of UMA member factories to benchmark COVID-19 Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), the UMA and MoH team said factories would soon be given certification based on their compliance with regard to COVID-19 SOPs.

“Covid-19 infection is at community level which means that any time, there will always be a factory employee who gets infected, that being the case we want to ensure that each factory has the right protocols in place to ensure that if this happens, they are able to manage the case properly and mitigate any cases of it infecting others,” he added.

Dr. Aggrey Batesaaki, the Assistant Commissioner in charge of Inspection, Standards and Compliance in the Ministry of Health pointed out that some gaps were identified during the site visit. “Their environment is not talking Covid-19 for example there were not many posters and I have told them to put them in place so that anybody walking into the factory can be reminded about the SOPs,” he said.

While addressing fears of closing companies, Dr. Aggrey Batesaaki, noted that Closing off a company because of a confirmed Covid-19 case does not stop the spread of the virus. “Once a company registers a case, Ministry of health is available to work with companies to weigh the options of curbing further spread of the virus within the premises without a total shut down,” he added.

“Government is passionate about moving our economy forward, and the ministry is not happy to close the economy considering the vital role manufacturing plays in keeping our economy moving in such unprecedented times. Currently the ministry is in a process developing Consolidated Standard Operating Procedure for manufacturing, upon which certification would be given to compliant companies,” he revealed.

Prior to these visits, manufactures held a virtual meeting in which they agreed to set up a Covid-19 taskforce for manufacturers which will draft SOPs to guide the Ministry of Health as it sets these guidelines for manufacturing firms.

Among the companies singled out for benchmarking based on their existing COVID-19 SOPs, were Coca-Cola Beverages Africa in Uganda, CIPLA Quality Chemicals, and Steel & Tube Industries.

During the tour to Coca-Cola Beverages Africa, in Uganda (CCBA), the team was received by Derrick Mugweri, the Manufacturing Manager, at the plant in Namanve.

In his opening remarks, Daniel applauded Coca-Cola for its cooperation and support rendered to the sector whenever there is need.

“We thank Coca-Cola for the opportunity to visit one of their factories to pick learning on how Covid-19 preventive measures are implemented to keep factories open despite covid-19 pandemic,” he lauded.

Mr. Mugweri, revealed that CCBA has invested resources towards making the SOPs work and has continued to adjust with the evolving situation as the days go by. Innovation and agility is what has kept the company afloat in these unprecedented times.

“We welcome you all to the Coca-Cola site to observe the Covid-19 preventive protocols that you have observed and we are open to feedback for the good observations and areas of improvement noted,” said Mugweri.

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Court summons Kibalama over contradictory affidavits about NUP party

By
Geoffery Serugo
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bobi wine and kibalama

The High Court Judge Musa Sekaana has summoned the founder of the National Unity Reconciliation and Development Party (NURDP) that has since evolved into the National Unity Platform (NUP), Mzee Nkonge Kibalama for cross examination.

Last month, former NURDP members, Basile Difas and Hassan Twaha dragged Mzee Kibalama and other individuals to court for selling the party to Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine and later changing its name and leadership.

The two are needed to pronounce themselves about changing their affidavits in the case brought against them. The two had sworn and signed affidavits that the party leadership and the name were changed after delegates’ conference which occurred in Kakiri.

Appearing before court earlier today, Kyagulanyi’s legal team led by Lubega Medard Sseggona learnt that the two changed their affidavits and instructed another lawyer to represent them.

In the new affidavits, Nkonge said: “I wish to categorically state that the meeting never took place. What happened was that nine people including myself, William Odinga Balikuddembe, , Winston Kigozi,, Robert Kyagulanyi, ,Fred Nyanzi Ssentamu , Flavia Kalule, Benjamin Katana, Joel Ssenyonyi and Nubian Li sat and we approved the new party leaders headed by the second respondent(Kyagulanyi) as the party president.”

This prompted Sseggona to ask for summoning of the Mzee Nkonge for cross examination.

He said Bobi Wine called 41 other people to sign the attendance list without holding a delegates conference and filed the false minutes and resolutions with the Electoral Commission.

In a recorded video, Kibalama threatened to reclaim NUP from Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine for failure to fulfill his pledge of $5million.

Nkonge averred that a section of NURDP met Bobi Wine after he failed to register a political. “We were 41 members who agreed on principle to change NURDP to NUP for villagers or lay men to easily grasp the name and change its leadership but we didn’t sell it to him,” he said.

The case has been adjourned to Friday, 25th September 2020.

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Schools, churches, bars to learn fate ahead of Museveni’s address

By
Our Reporter
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President Museveni.

President Museveni will on Sunday, 20th September address the nation on the Covid-19 pandemic situation in the country.

The President is expected to reconsider his decision to open places of worship, bars and schools among others after he ordered for their closure in March this year. The closure peddled at curbing the spread of the deadly Covid-19 pandemic.

In the past few days, Covid-19 task has been meeting various religious leaders in the Catholic Church, church of Uganda and born again Pentecostal church leaders to pave way on how they can operate places of worship during the long term visitor, covid-19.

As of yesterday, there were 29,737,453 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 937,391 deaths, reported to the World Health Organization (WHO). Currently there 5,266 confirmed covid-19 cases in Uganda and 60 deaths.

According to a source, the churches if they open, they will not allow in more than 100 believers in any given service, observe the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) which include; wearing of face masks, social distance and frequent washing of hands or sanitizing.

The church leaders will also be required to disinfect the churches or mosques every after prayers. It is also said that the president has not decided on the issue of re-opening schools for all students despite ordering for reopening for final year medical students who are essential in the current situation of the deadly covid-19 pandemic.

The president is also expected to speak about other sectors which are still under the lockdown. Such sectors include; Sauna and Massage, transport systems in the border districts, among others.

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#Covid-19: WHO urges gov’ts to keep health workers safe for patients to be safe

By
Geoffery Serugo
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World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus

The World Health Organization (WHO) has called on governments and health care leaders to address persistent threats to the health and safety of health workers and patients.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has reminded all of us of the vital role health workers play to relieve suffering and save lives,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “No country, hospital or clinic can keep its patients safe unless it keeps its health workers safe. WHO’s Health Worker Safety Charter is a step towards ensuring that health workers have the safe working conditions, the training, the pay and the respect they deserve.”

The pandemic has also highlighted the extent to which protecting health workers is key to ensuring a functioning health system and a functioning society.

The Charter, released today for World Patient Safety Day, calls on governments and those running health services at local levels to take five actions to better protect health workers. These include steps to protect health workers from violence; to improve their mental health; to protect them from physical and biological hazards; to advance national programmes for health worker safety, and to connect health worker safety policies to existing patient safety policies.

Mounting reports of infections, illness and attacks among health workers fighting COVID-19

COVID-19 has exposed health workers and their families to unprecedented levels of risk. Although not representative, data from many countries across WHO regions indicate that COVID-19 infections among health workers are far greater than those in the general population.

While health workers represent less than 3% of the population in the large majority of countries and less than 2% in almost all low- and middle-income countries, around 14% of COVID-19 cases reported to WHO are among health workers. In some countries, the proportion can be as high as 35%.  However, data availability and quality are limited, and it is not possible to establish whether health workers were infected in the work place or in community settings. Thousands of health workers infected with COVID-19 have lost their lives worldwide.

In addition to physical risks, the pandemic has placed extraordinary levels of psychological stress on health workers exposed to high-demand settings for long hours, living in constant fear of disease exposure while separated from family and facing social stigmatization. Before COVID-19 hit, medical professionals were already at higher risk of suicide in all parts of the world. A recent review of health care professionals found one in four reported depression and anxiety, and one in three suffered insomnia during COVID-19.

On World Patient Safety Day, WHO reminds governments that they have a legal and moral responsibility to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of health workers.

The Organization’s health worker charter calls on all Member States and relevant stakeholders to take steps to establish synergies between health worker safety and patient safety policies and strategies, Develop and implement national programmes for occupational health and safety of health workers, Protect health workers from violence in the workplace, Improve mental health and psychological well-being and Protect health workers from physical and biological hazards.

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Emirates boosts African network to 15 destinations with restart of flights to Luanda

By
Our Reporter
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Fly Emirates plane

Emirates’ African network will expand to 15 destinations with the restart of Luanda, Angola from 1 October. The airline continues to gradually and safely restore its network, delivering on its health and safety promise as it responds to growth in passenger demand across the globe.

Flights to Luanda will initially operate once a week on Thursdays. Emirates flight EK793 will depart Dubai at 0945hrs, arriving in Luanda at 1430hrs. EK794 will depart Luanda at 1825hrs, arriving in Dubai at 0510hrs the next day.

 Customers can stop over or travel to Dubai as the city has re-opened for international business and leisure visitors. Ensuring the safety of travelers, visitors, and the community, COVID-19 PCR tests are mandatory for all inbound and transit passengers arriving to Dubai (and the UAE), including UAE citizens, residents and tourists, irrespective of the country they are coming from.

From sun-soaked beaches and heritage activities to world class hospitality and leisure facilities, Dubai is one of the most popular global destinations. In 2019, the city welcomed 16.7 million visitors and hosted over hundreds of global meetings and exhibitions, as well as sports and entertainment events. Dubai was one of the world’s first cities to obtain Safe Travels stamp from the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC)  which endorses Dubai’s comprehensive and effective measures to ensure guest health and safety.

Emirates’ booking policies offer customers flexibility and confidence to plan their travel. Customers who purchase an Emirates ticket by 30 September 2020 for travel on or before 30 November 2020, can enjoy generous rebooking terms and options, if they have to change their travel plans due to unexpected flight or travel restrictions relating to COVID-19, or when they book a Flex or Flex plus fare.

Emirates customers who require a COVID-19 PCR test certificate prior to departure from Dubai, can avail of special rates at the American Hospital and their satellite clinics across Dubai by simply presenting their ticket or boarding pass. Home or office testing is also available, with results in 48 hours.

Emirates has committed to cover COVID-19 related medical expenses, free of cost, should they be diagnosed with COVID-19 during their travel while they are away from home. This cover is immediately effective for customers flying on Emirates until 31 October 2020 (first flight to be completed on or before 31 October 2020), and is valid for 31 days from the moment they fly the first sector of their journey. This means Emirates customers can continue to benefit from the added assurance of this cover, even if they travel onwards to another city after arriving at their Emirates destination.

Emirates has implemented a comprehensive set of measures at every step of the customer journey to ensure the safety of its customers and employees on the ground and in the air, including the distribution of complimentary hygiene kits containing masks, gloves, hand sanitizer and antibacterial wipes to all customers.

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Jacob Kiplimo beats Jakob Ingebrigtsen in 3000m classic

By
Our Reporter and Agencies
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jacob kiplimo

The much-anticipated men’s 3000m in Rome did not disappoint as Ugandan teenage athletics sensation Jacob Kiplimo out-kicked Jakob Ingebrigtsen of Norway in 7:26.64 and 7:27.05 to go No.8 and No.9 on the world all-time rankings.

Such was the quality of this race on Thursday (September 17) in the Italian capital, Stewy McSweyn smashed Craig Mottram’s Oceania record of 7:32.19 with 7:28.03 and wound up third.

Amazingly Kiplimo and Ingebrigtsen are still teenagers, too, as they stormed to national records – although the former turns 20 in November and the latter hits 20 later month.

Behind the top three there were a host of fast times as well. Yeman Crippa ran an Italian record of 7:38.27 as Mike Foppen of the Netherlands, in fifth with 7:39.75, was also inside Jack Buckner’s meeting record of 7:46.06 from back in 1984.

The field owe thanks to plucky pacemaker Sean Tobin. The Irishman has been in fine form lately and here he led the runners through the first mile in 3:59.6 before peeling off with just over three laps to go.

McSweyn, who enjoyed an emphatic 1500m win in Zagreb two days earlier, then took the lead and toed Ingebrigtsen and Kiplimo through 2000m in 4:59.

The relentless sub-four-minute mile pace continued, too, as Ingebrigtsen took control just before the bell with Kiplimo stalking him ominously.

Winding up the pace, Ingebrigtsen looked strong coming into the home straight but Kiplimo, who had run 12:48 to win over 5000m in Ostrava the previous week, unleashed a withering kick with 60m to go to ease his way past the battling Norwegian.

The only runners who have gone quicker at 3000m now are Daniel Komen with the world record of 7:20.67, Hicham El Guerrouj, Ali Saidi-Sief, Haile Gebrselassie, Noureddine Morceli, Kenenisa Bekele and Mohammed Mourhit.

The latter holds the European record after running 7:26.62 while representing Belgium, but some will now consider Ingebrigtsen the real record-holder due to Mourhit’s career being blighted by a drugs ban for taking EPO.

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Consideration of NSSF Bill deferred to next week

By
Our Reporter
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Minister for East African Community Affairs, Rebecca Kadaga

Parliament has halted its decision on the proposed mid-term access of savings by contributors to the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) after legislators failed to agree on the group of people and percentage that should be availed.

Kadaga ruled that the consideration of the bill will continue on Wednesday, 23 September 2020.

This followed debate on a report from the Committees of Finance and Gender which proposes that members aged above 45 and have saved for at least 10 years, be allowed to access 20 per cent of their benefits.

The report proposes that mid-term access provides for additional benefits and relief to members of the Fund before they reach the age prescribed by the law.

“A person with a disability who lacks gainful employment or fails to generate income and unable to make contributions to the Fund for a period of not less than one year should access up to 75 per cent of their contributions upon application,” the report states in part.

However in his minority report, Bulamogi County MP,Hon Kenneth Lubogo said that members who lose their employment and remain unemployed for a period of not less than three years should upon application be entitled to 40 per cent of the balance on the member’s account.

In his motion moved earlier,Busongora North MP, Hon William Nzoghu said all contributors should access 20 percent of their savings in light of the economic distress caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Contributors should not die of hunger leaving their savings to the survivors. NSSF has 1.5 million members who contribute over shs1.8 trillion in savings annually and the Fund has over shs11.2 trillion in assets,” he said adding that, availing members with their savings will help lessen the negative impact of Covid-19 to over 1.5 million households.

Soroti District representative, Hon Angelline Osegge said it is first responsibility of the Fund to its savers and not government. She said that the law should be amended to enable people access 20 percent of their money.

Rukungiri Woman MP,Hon Betty Bamukwatsa added that this was the time Ugandans get part of  their contributions to help them during the difficult time occasioned by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Soroti County MP, Hon Kenneth Esiangu said the money should be structured in age brackets and based on how long a person has been saved.

“We should let the people access between 20 and 30 per cent; these payments won’t drain the Fund. Every member should get something to alleviate the current suffering,” he said.

Worker representative, Hon Arinaitwe Rwakajara said that anyone who has saved for more than 10 years and is above 45 years should get at least 20 percent of their money.

“Let us not only focus on Covid-19 pandemic, but allow mid-term access to address many other issues which may come in the future,” he said.

After failing to agree on a common position for mid-term access, Speaker Rebecca Kadaga guided that the House stands over the decision to allow MPs more time to harmonise their positions.

“There are certain areas of commonality either to have the status quo of waiting until the age of 50 or the proposal of the partial access to the vote, which isn’t well known until it’s agreed upon here. The contention is that either there is access or not,” she said.

Legislators rejected the proposal that the Fund should be supervised by both the Ministries of Finance and Gender, Labour and Social Development as advised by President Yoweri Museveni.

Despite efforts by the Minister of Gender, Hon Frank Tumwebaze and Minister of State for Planning, Hon David Bahati for the government position to be adopted, a section of MPs led by Dokolo Woman MP, Hon Cecilia Ogwal put up a spirted fight saying that double accounting for funds could not be tolerated. They advocated for the Gender Ministry to solely manage and supervise the Fund.

The NSSF is currently managed by the Ministry of Finance despite its relation to the Labour Ministry. Kadaga also ruled that the decision on this matter is stood over.

Parliament rejected the clause that proposed direct lending by the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) to the government. This followed the committee’s recommendation that this was intended to avoid abuse of member’s funds and conflict of interest.

MPs observed that NSSF already lends to Government and other entities using instruments prescribed in the Uganda Retirement Benefits Regulatory Authority (URBRA) Act and Regulations including, among others; Treasury Bills, Bonds and government securities.

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Kibalama to reclaim NUP from Bobi Wine over failure to pay $5m

By
Geoffery Serugo
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Bobi Wine

The founder of the National Unity Reconciliation and Development Party (NURDP) that has since evolved into the National Unity Platform (NUP), Mzee Nkonge Kibalama has run to the media saying they are soon reclaiming their political party from Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine for failure to fulfill his pledge of $5million.

According to Nkonge, Bobi Wine promised him $5 million to take over the NUP party but later he found that he is a liar and he can’t continue dealing with him.

At the end of 2018, the People Power legal team tried to reserve the name ‘People Power’ however as expected, they found that this name had been reserved and flagged so that we could not register it. Since then, they have continued to struggle as a political and social movement advocating for change.

Nkonge avers that a section of NURDP met Bobi Wine after he failed to register a political. “We were 41 members who sat agreed on principle to change NURDP to NUP for villagers or lay men to easily grasp the name and change its leadership but we didn’t sell it to him,” he said.

In July this year, Kyadondo East Member of Parliament who doubles as the patron of People Power Movement Robert Kyagulanyi Sentamu launched a political party dubbed National Unity Platform (NUP) with an umbrella as its symbol.

Mr. Nkonge said as the founder his views are not considered at the Kamwokya based Political Party members and they have since derailed from the right path. “We formed and registered this party in 2004 not knowing that Bobi Wine will come on board, the Party has its constitution which he says was abrogated to suit one individual. Our party was flourishing and it will even without him.”

He noted that they were promised juicy positions in the party however this has not happened and this is a bad deal therefore he will reclaim his party.

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NUP vets central region MP aspirants

By
Ronard Shabomwe
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Some of the members waiting for the vetting at NUP secretariat(photo by Ronard Shabomwe)

The National Unity Platform(NUP) has vetted at least 30 parliamentary aspirants from the central region.

Among the aspirants who have been vetted include; Patrick Mujuuko aka Patriko of Nakifuma constituency, Betty Naluyima of Wakiso district, Innocent Kiyaga aka Hilderman of Mawokota north, Roy Ssembogo and Bashir Mbaziira Kazibwe from Kawempe south constituency, Joel Ssenyonyi Nakawa west, Emmanuel Kigozi Ssempala Makindye Ssabagabo, Allan Ssewanyana Makindye west, Mawanda Nkunyingi among others.

A woman parliamentary aspirant on NUP ticket of Wakiso District Betty Naluyima Ethel says the vetting was free and fair because the members of the vetting process are doing it professionally and depending on how she was vetted, she hopes to be the NUP flag bearer 2021.

Naluyima notes that Wakiso being the most populated District she will focus on health care, empowering fellow women and lobby for them among other issues that affect Wakiso district.

“As I have always told Wakiso people, there are some issues that need to be addressed and our leaders have failed,” she adds.

Roy Ssemboga and Bashir Mbazira the aspirants from Kawempe south cite the issues to do with lobbying for their people, improving on road infrastructure, among others however, Ssembogo hopes to be endorsed by the party giving reasons of being loyal to the party more than his contender Mbazira.

Ssembogo explains that as a professional doctor, his focus will be on improving the health sector.

“I chose to join politics to be among the lawmakers who can do budget allocation to the health sector, so I was inspired to join politics so that I can better this sector,” Ssemboga adds.

According to Joel Ssenyonyi, the National Unity Platform Spokesperson and an aspirant of Nakawa west constituency the vetting was clear and he is hopeful that the party will trust him with the ticket.

Ssenyonyi notes that he will be the voice to the voiceless in his constituency where he thinks it has been neglected. He adds that with his 13 parish in his constituency, he will work hard to empower youths, women and many other underprivileged members of the community.

Mercy Walukamba, the vetting committee chairperson says, by the end of this day, they hope to vet over 50 parliamentary aspirants on NUP tickets.

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