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UPC Chairman Edward Kakonge insists Akena must go

By
Geoffery Serugo
-

 

Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) Chairman Edward Kakonge has dismissed claims by Lira Municipality MP Jimmy Akena that the Court of Appeal ruling that nullified his presidency was overtaken by events and cannot be implemented.

In a statement through his Lawyers from Galisonga and Co Advocates, Prof Kakonge wrote that: “the said purported election of Hon. Jimmy Akena, MP, was nullified by the High Court in Misc. Cause No. 086 of 2015, from which Hon. Akena and his group appealed to the Court of Appeal, Vide Civil Appeal No. 020 of 216.”

Prof Kakonge noted that the Court of Appeal in its final Judgment confirmed the decision of the High court in Misc. Cause No. 086 of 2015 and nullified the purported election of Hon. Jimmy Akena.

According to the ruling of the Court of Appeal, Akena was found to be occupying the position of President of the Uganda People’s Congress(UPC) party illegally, and didn’t have any right to manage the affairs of UPC.

The Court ruling also means that the purported delegates’ conference having been held in contravention of a court order issued in the presence of the parties and their lawyers and duly extracted and served on the same day, was duly binding and acting in contravention of the same is illegal and contemptuous of court, which in itself is a crime.

The press statement quotes Prof Kakonge explaining that in the circumstances, nothing legal can obtain from an illegality, to wit contempt of court and of course the express decision of court nullifying the election of Hon. Jimmy Akena, MP.

“Having decided as court of Appeal did, the legal position standing is that Hon. Amb. Olara Otunu and/or any person, in this case. Senior Counsel Peter Mukidi Walubiri hold the reigns of the party and are in the process of effecting the findings of court by among others takings steps to carry out functions under the UPC constitution,” concludes Prof Kakonge.

 

 

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Where are we headed as a country?

By
Guest Writer
-
Gen. Tumukunde.

 

 

Over the past weekend, the country has witnessed ugly scenes across the country as the National Resistance Movement Organisation conducted its parliamentary candidate primaries election ahead of the 2021 general election. There were reported cases of voter bribery, intimidation and in some cases violence against the candidates and their supporters. Worse still the media was awash with reports of participants acting in a manner contrary to the Ministry of Health #Covid-19 pandemic guidelines. One wonders what will happen during the general elections when opposition political players will be in the field too.

Elections provide an opportunity for a civil democratic society to hold their political leaders to account at regular intervals. If the leaders do not perform to the electorate’s expectations, the electorate is then provided with an opportunity to vote them out.
Unfortunately, elections in Uganda have been reduced to a show of financial might and power by those in positions of responsibility. This presents a very dangerous trend that has been growing over the years, and if it is not addressed, the electoral process shall continue losing credibility and legitimacy.

These most sacred of democratic tenets are being progressively eroded. They have been eroded by a government, which is averse to any differing political views, to the extent that holding such views is criminalised. The process of NRM internal elections, has unveiled the sad reality that as a country, we have become inwardly and institutionally corrupt, militaristic, patronising, and institutions have been misused, especially the security ones that are expected to be politically impartial.

Many who sacrificed to bring this government into power and rid Uganda of dictatorship did not envisage that the situation would deteriorate to this level. I for one, wanted to see a Uganda that respected democracy and the rule of law. A Uganda that was fair for all, a Uganda where every person had a fair chance in life, where people lived in peace and harmony. That is not where we are now. Something drastic must be done to restore normalcy in this beautiful country.

Renewed Uganda (RU) condemns in the strongest possible terms the violence and chaos that we have seen playing out in the length and breadth of this country. Our neighbours and the rest of the world must be looking on mortified at these scenes. Most importantly we, the people of Uganda, must not accept this as the new normal. We must not allow to be drawn into senseless battles that leave us vulnerable to injustice just because a few individuals want to be elected to certain positions.

Uganda is at a crossroads. We have a chance to choose between a political party which prides itself as the harbinger of chaos or a platform that promises a way forward for the Uganda that we all love. Uganda is a great country. I know this. I have had the chance to serve it in various capacities. I have been very proud to wear the uniform of our national institutions, which has now been reduced to aiding political war-mongers to excel in their game.

With the kind of recriminations that we have watched on television and in the mainstream media for the last few days, this is certainly not where Uganda should be. We condemn and reject this approach. We call for a process that is truly democratic, a free environment, and fair playing field so as to enable Ugandans express themselves without fear or favour. Ugandans across the country are a decent hard working population who look forward to a better tomorrow.

We at RU will continue to work relentlessly to bring that reality to Uganda. Until this is achieved, let us continue to be firm and focused on the road before us. It is only a matter of time.

For God and My Country.
Lt Gen (Rt) Henry Tumukunde.

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Gov’t issues SOPs for schools ahead of reopening

By
Our Reporter
-
Minister of Education and Sports Janet Museveni

Government has outlined new Standard Operational Procedures (SOPs) for candidate classes, universities and other education institutions for all final year students starting September 20.

In March, President Museveni directed all education institutions to close in order to help reduce on the spread of the deadly coronavirus in the country.

Unlike Kenya which settled for a dead year, Uganda is still optimistic that the academic year can be salvaged.

Government has been gradually easing the lockdown on different sectors as advised by the technical team of scientists and Ministry of Health. A decision has now been taken to allow education institutions to reopen in a phased manner under clear Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

Education institutions shall reopen starting September 21, 2020 for candidate classes (P7, S4 and S6) and final year students in higher institutions of learning. Institutions shall follow a revised national education institutions calendar as shall be provided.

Government has further agreed to open International schools as well as per SOPs effectively September 21.

The Ministry of Education and Sports has issued guidelines to help education institutions take the necessary steps in mitigation of the risk of transmission and spread of the disease and to reduce the impact of the pandemic on teaching and learning.

The guidelines, together with the standard operating procedures that have been issued by Ministry of Health, should guide managers of education institutions on what needs to be done to create a safe environment for both learners and staff within the education institutions.

The SOPs are;

Prior to reopening, the management of each education institution serving as quarantine centres shall undertake to ensure that if their institution is disinfected and confirmed as safe for resumption operations. The disinfection shall be done with support of the respective district #Covid-19 taskforce.

The management of all education institutions shall hold a staff meeting to discuss the implementation of the SOPs within the institution and agree on appropriate classrooms and dormitory spaces to ensure physical spacing of two meters between learners in class and in dormitories

Each institution shall constitute a #Covid-19 taskforce of not more than seven (7) members, including two (2) learners and a member of the support staff.

Each class/lecture room shall have a student monitor responsible for promoting compliance to #Covid-19 control and safety measures

All education institutions shall ensure the proper use of facial masks that must be worn at all times. Each learner should have a minimum of two face masks.

Education institutions shall take every precaution to ensure that no learner, who is reported to have entered the country illegally, is allowed into institution premises. Such learners should be reported to the relevant authorities for necessary action.

Education institutions shall restrict entry to their premises by members of the public.

Education institutions should provide extra support to safeguard vulnerable learners, including SNE learners, and learners with identified health conditions.

Institutions should establish or strengthen collaboration with #Covid-19 District Taskforce and social service providers for continuity of critical services in institutions such as health screening, school feeding programs, guidance and counseling.

Each institution should appoint a member of staff from the established #Covid-19 taskforce to be a Community Liaison Officer (CLO). The CLO shall coordinate the institution’s relationship and engagement with the community to promote observance of #Covid-19 control measures.

Institutions should guide and counsel learners against #Covid-19 related stigmatization.

All education institutions should conduct behavior change and health education sessions for staff and learners and provide reminders on safety, in form of posters, on safe behaviour.

Each institution should re-arrange the sitting of learners using all available rooms within the school to ensure the required social distancing. This may include use of libraries, laboratories, dining halls, main halls where available.

Where classrooms have temporary partitions, institutions should remove the partitions to create larger rooms for ample sitting and aeration/ventilation.

Where available, main halls, dining halls and other large rooms should be prioritized for use as classrooms to ensure that available teachers cater for a sizeable number of learners per class. However, there should not be more than seventy (70) learners in a room/hall of any size for a lesson or other purposes.

A foot-operated hand washing facility shall be placed at strategic point of access to each block (and floor where applicable) used by learners and staff.

Safe temporary shelters, such as tents, may be used as classrooms. Open air spaces, such as tree shades may be improvised as temporary venues for some classes.

There shall be no group and close contact co-curricular activities in all education institutions until further notice. Nevertheless, learners should be guided to engage in physical activities while observing the social distancing of at least two metres.

All education institutions shall avoid general assemblies that bring together a large number of students.

There shall be no external mocks or other external examinations organized for students in secondary and primary schools.

Institution heads should ensure that all staff integrate #Covid-19 awareness and prevention messages in every lesson.

There shall be no career days, class days or official visitation days, in education institutions until further notice.

Mid-morning and lunch breaks shall be staggered and fully supervised by the teachers for adherence to social distancing, wearing of face masks and hand washing.

Institutions with large numbers of candidate/final year classes, which cannot be accommodated in the available classrooms at the social distancing of two metres, shall make arrangements to operate either:

Morning and afternoon shifts. Where this is applicable, the morning shift shall end at 12:30pm and the afternoon shift shall start at 2:00pm to allow for disinfection of the affected surfaces before the next shift or

An alternate-day attendance schedule where different streams attend on alternate days as may be deemed appropriate, in a bid to ensure that numbers are manageable.

For boarding institutions, after-class afternoon and evening programmes shall not involve team or group and close contact sports or activities; and they shall be supervised by a dedicated team of staff. Every dormitory shall have a resident tutor to supervise adherence to the SOPs.

Institutions should not keep learners beyond the official school closing time.

Schools that do not employ a qualified and dedicated health worker shall establish a formal collaboration with a health facility within a radius of 5kms for quick response and management of emerging health issues.

Each education institution shall work closely with the district #Covid-19 taskforce to organize basic training for its staff on management of #Covid-19.

Institutions shall build staff awareness and knowledge on #Covid-19 safety measures through regular sharing of accurate information and literature.

Education institutions shall ensure that restrictions are in place to prevent teachers from part-timing in multiple institutions and thereby increasing the risk of spreading infection among institutions.

Heads of institutions should ensure that only staff members who are on duty are present at the institution on a given day.

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UNRA seals Shs500b contract to construct three roads

By
Our Reporter
-
UNRA ED

The Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) has handed over three multi-billion contract documents to two Chinese companies for the upgrading and construction of three roads to a tune of UGX500 billion.

The contract signing ceremony was officiated by UNRA Executive Director Allen Kagina on Tuesday, September 8, at the UNRA Headquarters in Kampala.

The roads are; Kira-Matugga road, the upgrading of Najjanankumbi-Busabala road (11km) with two signalized junctions and solar powered lighting, and the rehabilitation of Masaka Town roads starting along the Kampala-Masaka highway.

The Kira-Matugga road which was handed over to Chongqing International Construction Corporation (CICO) will cost over Shs200 billion and expected to be finished within 36 months.

The new improvements will have provisions of two-metre segregated pedestrian walkways and two-metre segregated cycle lane on each side of the road and boda-boda stages at each of the signalized junctions along Kyaliwajjala-Matugga road together with solar powered lighting along the entire length of the road.

“The land acquisition process for Kira-Matugga road is ongoing and is being managed by the UNRA in-house team. A total of 6.5 km of the right of way have been acquired representing 56.12 percent of the total land area required and the entire right of way is expected to be acquired by June 2021,” said Mrs Kagina.

The rehabilitation of Masaka Town roads with a bitumen surfaced link starting along the Kampala-Masaka highway and terminating on Masaka-Mbarara Highway will cost Shs50 billion. This will help reduce on vehicle operating costs and improve the flow of traffic from Nyendo Trading Center to Masaka Central Business District.

“During construction for the Masaka roads, local people; on average over 200 locals will benefit from employment opportunities working on the road sites and/or various economic activities to support the construction works,” stated Ms Kagina.

The upgrading of Najjanankumbi-Busabala road (11km) with two signalized junctions and solar powered lighting will cost Shs258 billion and this will help reduce dust nuisance along the road and the related health hazards.

“On a very special note, UNRA would like to note that this is an example of a project where we have successfully partnered with the communities along the road corridor to realise a public good. This has been ably exhibited by the Project Affected Persons willingly offering land for the right of way without being compensated. We commend and applaud this community and its leadership for this spirit of partnership,” stated Ms Kagina.

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Flights at Entebbe to resume in October

By
Simon Kabayo
-
Uganda Airlines plane at Entebbe International Airport

 

Entebbe International Airport will begin phased re-opening in October with 13 flights scheduled for 1st October.

In a letter to different Airlines Managers, Al -Hajji Eng. Sooma Ayub,the Aviation and Airport Security Director revealed that flights by Qatar Airlines,Turkish Airlines, Brussels Airlines,Kenya Airways, Royal Dutch Airways, Rwanda Air,Air Tanzania and Ethiopian Airlines are among those cleared to begin passenger flights.

Click on the link below to read:

Phase 1 schedule CAA

Phase 1 of the re-opening of the Airport will run for 3 months from October-November.

As part of the lockdown imposed to curb the spread of the deadly Covid-19,the government closed Entebbe Airport to passenger flights with only cargo flights allowed to fly.

The resumption of passenger flights will be a welcome boost to Ugandans keen on flying for business and medical reasons.

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Aviation Police nabs two drug dealers

By
Our Reporter
-
narcotics (courtesy photo)

Aviation Police and sister security agencies have arrested two drug dealers, who were set to deliver narcotic drugs to Cameroon and India.

It is alleged that on 28/8/2020 at about 1400 hours at NAS Export bonds at Entebbe International Airport in Wakiso District, one Mugabi Azaria of Sky Net Worldwide Express Courier Company took cargo for export under Master Airway to the Xray machine for security screening.

In the process of screening, Police Anti-Narcotics officers intercepted two packages of house Airway each containing cream powdered substances suspected to be narcotic drugs concealed in their false bottoms.

The shippers for the packages respectively were Nannono Lydia and Nakawooya Juliet according to the documents. Mugabi was tasked to produce the shippers and he led Police to Nannono.

Upon interrogation, Nannono revealed that the package was given to her by a Nigerian national called Okafor Osita Rufus, who stays at Kitende in Kajjansi in Wakiso District.

Nannono led Aviation Police to the home of Okafar Osita and he was arrested. The shipments which were being shipped by Nannono were destined for Cameroon.

It was found to contain about 306 grams of cream granular substance suspected to be heroin, according to preliminary tests conducted. The package which was being shipped by another suspect, who is on the run, was destined for India.

It was found to contain four smaller boxes each containing cream powdered substance suspected to be heroin concealed in the false bottom of these boxes with gross weight of 525 grams.

When a search was conducted in the house of Okafor, the following items were recovered; 10 packages of suspected methamphetamine 939 grams, 485 tablets of suspected MDMA (Ecstacy) 113 grams, 23 small sackets of suspected methamphetamine 20 grams, one pallet of suspected methamphetamine 12 grams, Some tablets mixed with powder substance suspected to be Ecstasy 16 grams, mixtures of powdered substance suspected to be Ecstasy 65 grams, money US$9500, Uganda shs98,000, Nigerian Naira 700, Indian Rupees 8360, three passports of OKafor Osita Rufus Nos AO9389943, AO428682A and AO0202772 and passport number AO 5547585 in the names of Ejike Jamal Lucky which is expired.

The two suspects in custody are Nannono Lydia and Okafor. They are being detained at Aviation Police in Entebbe on charges of being in possession of narcotics and trafficking in narcotics. They are likely to appear in court this week.

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Museveni calls for hanging of murder, rape and aggravated robbery criminals

By
Geoffery Serugo
-
President Yoweri Museveni

President Museveni has called for sentencing of hard core criminals by hanging saying this will reduce the number crime rates in the country.

Museveni said this during the swearing-in of the newly appointed Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo and his deputy, Justice Richard Buteera at state house Entebbe.

Owiny-Dollo is replacing retired Justice Bart Katureebe after he turned 70 years, the mandatory age for justices of the Supreme Court. Buteera replaces Dollo as Deputy Chief justice at the Court of Appeal where he has served since 2017 when he replaced Justice Steven Kavuma.

“Sentencing for life should be stopped and let people be hanged. An eye for an eye should be used to best solve these cases. The issue of police bond saying leads to denial of justice and taints that credibility of the judicial system. The bail for cases of murder, rape aggravated robbery should be stopped to bring the concept of justice closer for the public,” Museveni said.

The president warned of excessive travelling abroad saying Uganda shilling is stabilising compared to the recent month before the outbreak of the deadly coronavirus. “The shilling is gaining on the dollar and yet we have lost money from tourism. This is alluded to the factor that the elite class are not squandering money,” he said.

In his remarks, Owiny-Dollo appealed to the president and the executive to pay more attention to enabling Ugandans receive timely and meaningful justice. “We are committed to giving meaning to your vision.”

He raised the issue of staffing versus case backlog. He said two to three trillion is tied up in the Commercial Division in Kampala. “We have only five Judges there. Imagine what these sums would do to the economy if they were released into the economy.”

“If I had 15 Judges in the Commercial Division, in 18 months, I should be able to report progress. We don’t have that man power and our hands are tied. How can the CJ ensure speedy rendering of Justice when one Judge has to look after 4,000 files? We must do something?” he said.

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Emirates returns US$1.4 billion to customers in refunds

By
Our Reporter
-
Fly Emirates plane

Emirates reveals that it has returned over AED 5 billion (US$ 1.4 billion) in COVID-19 related travel refunds to date, making strong and steady progress on its commitment to customers to complete pending refunds.

More than 1.4 million refunds requests have been completed since March, representing 90% of the airline’s backlog. This includes all requests received from customers around the world up until the end of June, save for a few cases which require further manual review.

Since the pandemic hit, Emirates has invested additional resources to ramp up its processing capability. The airline also continues to work with industry partners to facilitate refunds for those who have booked their Emirates flights through travel agents, this includes enabling direct refunds processing via global booking systems (GDS).

Sir Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline said: “We understand that from our customers’ standpoint, each pending refund request is one too many. We are committed to honouring refunds and are trying our utmost to clear the massive and unprecedented backlog that was caused by the pandemic. Most cases are straightforward, and these we will process quickly. But there are cases which will take a bit more time for our customer teams to manually review and complete. We are grateful to our customers for their patience and understanding.”

As global travel markets slowly re-open, Emirates has gradually restarted its passenger operations around the world, always ensuring that it provides customers with a safe and smooth travel experience.

The airline has introduced a series of industry-leading initiatives to provide customers with additional reassurance and confidence when they travel from bio-safety measures at every step of their journey, to free COVID-19 medical cover, and flexible booking policies.

Emirates currently offers flights to over 80 cities. 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, including UAE citizens, residents and tourists, irrespective of the country they are coming from.

Free, global cover for COVID-19 related costs where Customers can now travel with confidence, as 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.

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Minister Rukutana remanded until September 15

By
Our Reporter
-
Rukutana

The Minister of State for Labour Mwesigwa Rukutana has been remanded to Kyamugorani Prison in Mbarara district until  September 15, 2020.

Rukutana was remanded by Ntungamo Magistrates court Chief magistrate Sarah Mponye after he denied the offenses.

The former Deputy Attorney General is grappling with seven charges of attempted murder, assault, malicious damage, and threatening violence and others.

According to Charge Sheet on CRB 1050/2020 recorded at Ntungamo Police Station indicates that Mwesigwa Rukutana and others still at large on the 5th day of September 2020 at Kagugu village in Ntungamo District unlawfully attempted to cause the death of Rwebirungi Daniel alias Dan contrary to section 236 of the Penal Code Act.

Rukutana’s charges stem from an incident on Friday in which he was captured on video grabbing a gun from his escorts and attempting to shoot into a fire that was carrying supporters of his rival Naome Kabasharira.

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NSSF launches online benefits claim

By
Geoffery Serugo
-
Teddy Arimi

The National Social Security Fund (NSSF) has launched online benefits claim for members who qualify for withdrawal of their savings.

According to Teddy Arimi, the Head of Marketing and Communications at NSSF, under the electronic method, members can now submit and track their claims without leaving the comfort of their homes.

The service is available to all members who qualify for the Age, Withdrawal, Invalidity, Emigration Grant and Exempted Employment benefits.

To access the platform, one needs to download the NSSFGo mobile app on Google Play or visit https://nssf.page.link/1 and the web application: https://nssfgo.app then scroll to “Benefits Application” to enter required information and documents. Upon submission, a beneficiary is able to track the benefits claim until the payment is made.

“This innovation takes us closer to our benefits payment turnaround time target, which is paying qualifying members within 24 hours from the current eight days,” she said.

Rebekah Kabugo-Mugisha, Customer Experience Manager said, “Members do not need to travel long distances to NSSF branches or spend time in traffic or queues. In a few simple steps on their phone or computer, one can submit their claim, track the processing status and receive their funds on either mobile money or bank account without ever leaving their home.”

She urged all qualifying members to make use of this solution that seeks to enhance their experience at the time of claiming.

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