The government of Israel has extended the period of Ugandan Students who are in Israel for the Agro studies on International Apprenticeship Program academic year 2019/2020 to stay for another eleven months on extension program.

Every year, Uganda sends students from over 20 agricultural institutions of learning which includes, Makerere university, Kyambogo university, Bishop Stuart university, Bukalasa Agricultural College, Busitema university Busoga university among others, to Israel on an eleven months’ apprenticeship program, a program that started in 2013 to help students acquire practical experience and skills to work in commercial farms.

In the academic year 2019/2020, two hundred fifty students (250) were admitted for this program and their apprenticeship period is ending in September 2020 and they are supposed to be returning.

However, in a letter dated 10th august, to Vice chancellors, Principals, directors, deans and coordinators of partner institutions signed by Yaron Tamir, the CEO Agro studies in Israel, says, they requested the government of the state of Israel to extend the stay of their students for another 11 months and Israel agreed.

Tamir says they carried out a survey among their students asking those who wanted to extend their stay and those who wanted to return to their countries and 15 out of 250 students chose to return stating various reasons and 235 chose to stay for another eleven months due to the changes brought in by Covid-19 pandemic.

“As Agro studies, we will ensure that those students who choose to return will do so safely as soon as possible,” the letter reads in part.

He explains that they resorted to this 11 months’ extension because of the pandemic that changed the world by closing airports, closed borders among others. Adding that, where students are in Israel are safer and they are needed for the continuity of farm work since they will not be able to have the next batch of students easily.

According to the regional and national coordinator of Agro studies International Apprenticeship Program in Uganda, Issa Agaba Mugabo, fifteen students (15) shall return on 5th September 2020.

He notes that they are working hard with the Health ministry, ministry of foreign affairs and they are in final stages to ensure that those students return safely. He notes that they have already got a quarantine center from the ministry of health and that ministry of foreign affairs has cleared them.

According to this letter, overall, there are three hundred (300) students who chose to return to their countries. This means that next academic year, Israel shall accept only 300 students to replace them.

Tamir says that because of the good working relationship Israel has with Ugandan institutions and the warm cordial relations between Uganda and Israel. Uganda has been given a slot of 150-250 students to replace those who will return.

This means that next academic year 2020/2021, Uganda will have up to 473 students in Israel. And because of that slot of 150-250 students to replace those who will return, the next Uganda academic year is not affected.

Over 200 students had qualified for the next academic intake and they were waiting for the last intake to come back so that they would go. However, Mugabo says that because of disruptions brought in by Covid-19, it might not be easy to have all the students to go. Adding that, they have to send those who will be available.

According to Tamir, they will provide necessary security measures to guarantee their health including full medical insurance which covers Covid-19, and they will send a charter flight to take them directly to Israel.

Commenting on how the students for academic year 2020/2021 who were supposed to be going for their program, Mugabo says they are working with the institutions and they will come up with the final plan on how students will be sent to Israel.

And he notes that they are optimistic that they will raise this number of students they have been asked to send.

“We usually have students who fails to go because different issues like failing to get travel documents in time, so if the applicants we have fail to take up this chance, we shall send those we shall be with.”

According to Mugabo, over one thousand six hundred (1600) have already benefited from this program since 2013.

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Dr. Akinwumi Adesina has been sworn in as the President of African Development Bank (ADB) Group following a historic re-election last week.

The swearing-in ceremony, which took place at the Bank’s Abidjan headquarters was presided over by the newly appointed Chair of the Board of Governors, Ghanaian Finance Minister Kenneth Ofori-Atta, who administered the Oath Office.

Several presidents attended the virtual ceremony live and sent messages of support. They included Paul Kagame of Rwanda, the president of Liberia, George Weah, Alpha Conde of Guinea,  Guinea Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embaló and Denis Sassou Nguesso of Republic of the Congo. Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan and Vice President Atiku Abubakar were also present.

Ofori-Atta was assisted by the past Board of Governors Chair, Ivorian Planning Minister Niale Kaba, and the Bank’s Secretary General Vincent Nmehielle who read the resolution of the Board confirming Adesina’s election.

On 27 August 2020, Governors of the 54 African regional member countries and 27 non-regional member countries of the African Development Bank Group unanimously voted in the eighth President for a second five-year term on the final day of the 2020 Annual Meetings.

Ofori-Atta said he had no doubt that Africa’s premier development bank had secured the right leadership.

“We need to continue to steer and direct the Bank’s efforts to setting global standards of excellence, integrity, commitment to service and responsiveness to the challenges of the continent,” he said.

“You earned a new mandate in a most historic fashion,” he told Adesina.

Adesina’s first five-year term in office focused on the bold new agenda for the Bank Group based on five development priorities known as the High 5s: Light up and Power Africa; Feed Africa; Industrialize Africa; Integrate Africa; and Improve the Quality of Life for the People of Africa.

“Today, that ambition was being achieved,” Adesina stated, adding that 18 million Africans had gained access to electricity, 15 million had benefited from investor finance, 60 million enjoyed new access to water, 141 million people had improved agricultural technologies for food and 101 million people had access to improved transport from infrastructure.

“We have collectively charted a new path for Africa…We have achieved collectively impressive results,” Adesina said.

Going forward in his new term, he would focus on building on the collective achievements and a stronger and more resilient African Bank Group. “Our focus will be on institutions, people, delivery and sustainability. Together we win for Africa,” Adesina said.

“Yet again, let us move forward, driven by the power of our mission, inspired by the primacy of our vision and emboldened by the strength of our togetherness,” Adesina said.

Representatives of the Nigerian and Côte d’Ivoire governments as well as Bank Executive Directors and senior management also attended the ceremony.

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The killer of International Hospital Kampala (IHK) Midwife, Simon Shimanya has been sentenced to 17 years in prison.

Kimanya was sentenced by the Nabweru Chief Magistrate Patricia Amoko. Viola Kakai, 32 years and a mother of three children was hacked to death following a domestic brawl on 1st August, 2020. Reports indicated that Kakai’s children witnessed her being hacked using an axe.

It is averred that the elder daughter pleaded with him but he could not manage his anger. She moved out and called the neighbors to intervene and found her lying in a pool of blood.

The convict was arrested by Police detectives attached to the State House Anti-Corruption Unit. He was arrested from Wanyakala, Isingiro district where he has been in hiding after allegedly murdering his wife.

In her ruling, the magistrate said that the degree of injury and the weapon used in killing the deceased in front of her children was threatening. No child or person should witness the killing of their mother by their father

“Court had considered the fact that the children had already lost one parent and needed someone to comfort them therefore you are sentenced to 17 years in prison,” she ruled.

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