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Bright Stars FC receive Fufa’s approval to change name

By
Our Reporter
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bright stars players

Uganda Premier League side Bright Stars FC will be known as Soltilo Bright Stars Football Club beginning the 2020/2021 football season.

Their request was approved by FUFA following the 23rd Executive Committee that convened on September 15, 2020 chaired by FUFA President Eng. Moses Magogo.

Bright Stars FC made a formal request to the Federation to adopt the name Soltilo, which is a big football school that is run by Keisuke Honda, one of the partners at the club.

Vipers SC (Bunamwaya), Wakiso Giants (Kamuli Park), Tooro United FC (Soana) and Busoga United FC (Kirinya Jinja SS) are some of the UPL clubs that have changed names over the years.

Other clubs that have been allowed to cahnge names are; Light SS FC to Soroti City FC, Bukedea Town Council FC to Blacks Power FC, Doves All Stars FC to Arua Hills FC, Future Options FC to Rwampara Bulls FC, U-Touch FC to Gulu City Council FC, Northern City FC to FC Pager, Ibanda United FC to Ibanda Municipal Sports Club, Kengere Ward FC to FC Soroti Thunders, Faith Hope Love FC to Moyo Town Council FHL FC and Diamond Stars FC to Arua City Council FC.

A request by Sports Club Barca to change name (to Ibanda United FC) was rejected on the basis that the name was currently used by another team. The change would lead to lack of clarity and potential integrity issues.

The Executive Committee also approved change of ownership of Doves All Stars FC to Development Structures (U) Ltd with immediate effect.

Other key decisions that were taken during the meeting are; The registration fees for all 4th Division clubs for the 2020-2021 season (for player licenses) will be paid for by FUFA as part of the COVID-19 pandemic relief assistance. Clubs of the 4 th division will henceforth not be charged by FUFA for player licenses for the season 2020-2021.

The FUFA Drum 3rd Edition and The Odilo 2nd Edition (FUFA Primary Schools Football Championship) for the year 2020 have been cancelled.

FUFA are still convinced that the 46th Stanbic Uganda Cup will be played to conclusion unless the time is not sufficient.

The Super 8 will be composed of the top-most 8 clubs for the 2019/2020 Star Times Uganda Premier League season.

The Second Division (FUFA Big League) for the season 2020/2021 shall be played in 2 groups, with 3 rounds.

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World Bank approves $300 million to boost local government service delivery in Uganda

By
Geoffery Serugo
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World-Bank

The World Bank Board of Directors have approved $300 million in additional financing to the Uganda Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfers Program for Results (UgIFT) to boost local governments (LGs) service delivery in education, health, water and environment, and micro irrigation, including in areas hosting large populations of refugees.

The financing includes a credit of $240 million and a grant of US$60 million, of which US$50 million will be from the IDA Refugee Support Window (RSW). The additional financing builds on the initial success of the original UgIFT, amounting to US$200 million to support service delivery in the health and education sectors.

The UgIFT program contributes to the Government’s Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfer Reform Program (IFTRP), which aims to strengthen the financing of local governments, increasing the overall level of funding and reducing the disparities in funding for service delivery across local governments. The IFTRP also aims to improve service delivery through strengthening central government oversight, assessing local government, subcounty, school and health facility performance, providing performance incentives and supporting poorly performing local governments.

“UgIFT will deepen the focus on service delivery, enhancing value for money and reducing inequities in public spending on social services, thereby helping to achieve the twin goals of ending extreme poverty and promoting shared prosperity in a sustainable manner. It is also a crucial intervention at the local government level for maintaining financing of health and other basic services, which have come under strain during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Tony Thompson, World Bank Country Manager.

Combined, the original and additional UgIFT financing will construct, equip and staff at least 259 new secondary schools. An estimated 1,000 existing primary schools will receive development grants to refurbish and equip their facilities to provide better learning environments and meet basic standards.  Laboratories will be constructed in secondary schools that do not have them. A total of 14,000 primary and 1,400 secondary school teachers will be recruited in the least-staffed districts to enable them to meet minimum school staffing levels. Additional inspectors will be recruited to meet a ratio of 1 inspector to 40 schools.  Grants for primary and secondary schools will enable schools to make instructional materials available to teachers and maintain facilities based on student populations. In addition, financial incentives linked to school performance will be tested and phased in.

In health, the combined program will equip, staff and upgrade 380 facilities to health center III (HCIII) level. Up to 500 health centres will be able to access development grants to rehabilitate, expand and equip their facilities to meet minimum standards.  At least 11,000 health workers will be hired for the least-staffed districts to enable them to meet minimum facility staffing levels.  Results Based Financing will be mainstreamed, creating incentives for service delivery performance.  Allocations for essential medicines will be increased, and the mechanisms for allocating those supplies and the transparency of allocations will be enhanced through digitalization.

The additional financing will enable UgIFT to be extended to two additional sectors— water and environment and small-scale irrigation— to increase safe water coverage in the least served sub-counties, improving the functionality of existing potable water supply sources, and enabling investments in water supply for public institutions, including for newly constructed schools and health facilities. An estimated 750,000 people will benefit from new or repaired water facilities. Districts and municipalities will promote environmental management functions initially focusing on the implementation of public investments, including water resources management and actions against deforestation.

For micro-irrigation, up to 8,000 smallholder farmers in 40 districts will access matching grants to purchase and use micro-irrigation equipment, contributing to raising incomes and food security in rural areas through improved agricultural productivity and improving climate resilience of the poor and vulnerable farming communities.

UgIFT will also support the integration of delivery of services to refugees and their host communities in thirteen districts.  In doing so, refugee populations will be factored into allocation formulae, and UgIFT will support the transition from humanitarian financing to integrated financing of service delivery for refugees and their hosts together with services already managed by LG.

“The combination of the additional funding for local governments, the program’s deepened focus on service delivery and performance, the extension of the program to include to water and micro irrigation, and the integration of service delivery for refugees and their hosts provides a unique opportunity to revitalise local government service delivery across Uganda” said Tim Williamson, Senior Public Sector Specialist and World Bank’s Task Team Leader for the project.

The UgIFT program complements other investments by the World Bank Group in Uganda supporting the IFTRP, including the Uganda Support to Municipal Infrastructure Development Program (USMID) which is financing urban development in municipalities and service delivery investments in refugee hosting LGs via the Discretionary Development Equalization Grant (DDEG).

The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development leads the implementation of the UgIFT in close collaboration with other central government institutions, including the Office of the Prime Minister and the ministries of Local Government, Health, Education and Sports, Water and Environment, and Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries.

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UPDF participates in the study of COVID-19 treatment

By
Our Reporter
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updf at makerere university

The first phase of the study, “The feasibility of collecting, processing and storing COVID-19 convalescent plasma for treatment of COVID-19 in Uganda” was kicked off yesterday.

The aim of the feasibility is to collect and process COVID-19 convalescent plasma for treatment of COVID-19.

Convalescent plasma is plasma from individuals who have recovered from an infection, and this plasma may contain antibodies against that infection.

Since the outbreak of the COVID19 epidemic in March, UPDF has had a 360 degree approach towards it.

It has been involved in all the stages of this epidemic control from prevention, care and treatment, case management, surveillance, and now UPDF is involved in research.

It should be noted that the Ministry of Health requested the UPDF leadership to support the ministry against the outbreak of COVID- 19 from onset.

On the 25th of Mar 2020, 86 medics from UPDF were dispatched to different hospitals to boost the effort. These 86 medics from UPDF would later turn into critical staff at different hospitals fighting the pandemic.

The study was conducted by the COVIDRES-Uganda Research group; a multi-disciplinary research group coordinated by the Makerere University Lung Institute (MLI).

The research group/ collaborators on this study included members from MLI, Uganda Peoples Defence Forces Medical Services, Mulago National Referral Hospital, Uganda Cancer Institute among others.

Giving her remarks, Hon .Dr. Jane Aceng Ocero, Minister of Health who was also the chief Guest at the event said Covid-19 has no treatment. “What is given currently is only support. So having convalescent plasma come on board is great and we are looking forward to it being started tomorrow”.

According to Hon. Aceng, Uganda is losing 2-3 covid-19 patients per day and the numbers are climbing up every day thus the need for more innovations.

She cautioned Ugandans who thought and who still think that COVID-19 is a joke that COVID-19 is real. “It is with us and it can take anyone of us as it has already taken very prominent people from our society.  Do not to become part of the statistics but part of those that are supporting the response to ensure that Ugandans remain alive” Hon. Aceng added.

She thanked the Government of Uganda for Funding the Study, Makerere University for supporting responses to COVID-19 always through advice, research and hands on,  the collaborators on the study but more so the plasma donors who are recovered COVID19 patients who came in willingly having heard of the study.

Maj Gen Ambrose Musinguzi, the UPDF Director Medical services, who represented UPDF at the event, said that UPDF medical services will always be to support all the efforts. “It is our concern as UPDF that in circumstances like this, when the country is facing a pandemic, UPDF must be there for Ugandans as it has always been”.

The event which was held at Makerere University Main Hall was chaired by Prof Dr. William Bazeyo, Ag. Deputy Vice Chancellor.

Present also were Col Dr John Lusiba,Makerere University principles and staff of Principal college of Health sciences.

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EAC targets One Stop Border Posts’ staff to prevent the spread of COVID-19

By
Our Reporter
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EAC Logo

The East African Community (EAC) is targeting one Stop Border Posts’ staff I campaign to stop the spread of COVID-19 in the region. Border Posts are high-risk areas regarding the spread of COVID 19 and other infectious diseases from one country to another. These “Points of Entry” are at the center of movement of people, animals and goods from one country to another.

The capacity of border post staff to prevent the spread of the virus and to quickly and expertly respond to infections in people who cross the border determines the efficiency.

“The region has started opening its borders and space to allow movement of travelers in the region. This involves a risk as the pandemic has not yet ended”, says Christophe Bazivamo, the Deputy Secretary General Productive and Social Sectors at the East African Community (EAC) Secretariat. To minimize this risk, the EAC will convene a training of trainers at 12 “One Stop Border Posts” (OSBPs) in the region to enhance the capacity of staff for infection prevention and for communicating the COVID-related risks to travelers.

Human mobility across borders has exacerbated the spread of COVID 19 within the EAC region and beyond. It is hence pertinent and a matter of urgency that in addition to the measures already established, all staff of various sectors at the border posts are trained in the prevention of COVID 19. This will enable them to protect themselves effectively, while engaging with people at large scale. At the same time, it implements one of the key interventions of the EAC COVID 19 response plan.

The EAC Secretariat with support from the German Government through the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH has engaged AMREF Flying Doctors (AFD) to conduct the emergency intervention trainings for about 330 staff in total at 12 OSBPs in the region, covering all Partner States.

The training aims to enhance surveillance, prevention of and response to the spread of COVID 19 in and out of the Partner States. The target group for the training of trainers are border post stakeholders with close contact to travelers and/or their luggage, as well as to animals and goods. This includes staff from port and animal health, customs, immigration, revenue officers, luggage handlers, clearing agents, standards officers, border security and the joint cross-border management committees. By engaging sectors and professions beyond health, the project will also implement the One Health approach. It seeks to develop more robust emergency management systems and procedures while at the same time facilitating border post collaboration.

“AMREF Flying Doctors will offer a comprehensive training of trainers to enable the OSBPs to develop their own staff training and surveillance regimes” says Stephen Gitau, AFD Chief Executive Officer. “This will contribute greatly towards the pillar of enhanced safety for travelers and the duty of care of EAC and the OSBP management to their workers and border users.”

The training will enhance cooperation between the trainees from both sides of the border posts and thereby strengthen regional integration and joint understanding for the needs and special requirements of each of the two Partner States. It will enable the trained staff to communicate the risks related to COVID 19 in a scientifically sound and understandable manner to their customers/travelers and to sensitize them on the importance of protective measures for their own benefit and that of the people they interact with.

The two day trainings will be offered over a period of 12 weeks. Each class will have 16 participants, eight from each side of the border, and will take into account social distancing requirements. Two classes will be trained at large OSBPs and one class at the smaller ones. The training is scheduled to start end of September 2020. Subsequently, the trained trainers will develop and conduct their own classes to roll-out their brief training sessions. AFD will support the process and monitor the progress.

The course design and curriculum development are based on the International Health Regulations, best practices of the World Health Organization and the US Centers for Disease Control as well as public health acts.

The OSBPs where trainings of trainers are planned are: Burundi-Rwanda (Nemba/Gasenyi), Burundi-Tanzania (Kobero/Kabanga), Kenya-Tanzania (Isebania/Sirari and Lunga Lunga/Hororo), Kenya-Uganda (Malaba and Busia), Kenya-Tanzania (Namanga), Rwanda-Uganda (Gatuna/Katuna and Kagitumba/Mirama Hills), South Sudan-Uganda (Nimule/Elegu), Tanzania-Rwanda (Rusumo) and Tanzania-Uganda (Mutukula).

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Shincheonji Church of Jesus Proposes Prayer Meeting of Religious People Around the World for the End of Corona19

By
Our Reporter
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At noon on the 16th, an online prayer meeting held to end Corona19 worldwide.
“All the religions of the world must work together to overcome the pain and crisis caused by Corona 19.”


“Let us repent our sins first, forgive our neighbors, and pray in unison for the end of Corona 19.”

 Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony (under its chairman Lee Man-hee) proposed that all religious people around the world hold an online prayer meeting to end Corona 19.

As of noon on the 16th, the Shincheonji Church of Jesus announced that it will hold a non-face-to-face “Corona 19 Overcoming Online Prayer Meeting” in which all the 12 members of the church at home and abroad pray to God, and ask for all the religious people who share the same will to participate with one heart.

The prayer meeting, which was held at the suggestion of Lee Man-hee, the chairman, is a meeting to pray that the virus will disappear from the global community and other countries while the world is facing a crisis with the Corona 19 Pandemics, and sincerely repent for the sincommitted by individuals with or without knowing. In particular, it meant that religion should take the initiative in overcoming the crisis beyond each denomination and religion.


□ Shincheonji Church of Jesus said, “We are trying to break down the walls of churches, denominations and religions and pray together to overcome the disaster in a situation where the world suffers from Corona 19,” adding, “We believe that heaven will be moved if we pray in our respective positions with united heart.”


※ Note: All Shincheonji Churches have been holding non-face-to-face online services since February 18th, so please do not misunderstand.

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Fountain Publishers sued over Shs43b loan

By
Our Reporter
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James Tumusiime

Publishing company Fountain Publishers Limited has been dragged to court over failure to pay an outstanding loan worth Shs43 billion.

In two separate cases filed before the Commercial Division of the High Court, Prime Finance Company, accuses Fountain Publishers of breach of two loan agreements.

According to court documents, in one file Prime Finance Company is seeking recovery of $5.01m (over Shs18.5b), while in another it is seeking to recover $6.63m (over Shs24.5b).

In both files, Fountain Publishers is sued alongside its two directors James Tumusiime and Loy Tumusiime.

Acting through Walusimbi and Co Advocates, Prime Finance Company contends that on July 2, 2014 Fountain Publishers borrowed $350,000 (over Shs1.29b), which had accrued interest of 1 per cent per week.  The company, on July 29, 2014, further borrowed $350,000 (over Shs1.29b) at a similar interest rate.

However, the loans have since accumulated due to unpaid interest  over a period of about five years.

The loans, court documents show were all due in 2014 but have since been defaulted.

Prime Finance Company claims the had agreed with Fountain Publishers to secure the loans with postdated cheques, which upon default had been banked but were dishonoured due to lack of funds in the accused’s accounts.

Court documents indicate that the two directors including James Tumusiime and Loy Tumusiime were informed of the dishonoured cheques but did not rectify the situation.

The company has since made two separate deposits of $10,000 on each loan, which are way below the outstanding sums.

Prime Finance Company faults Fountain Publishers and the two directors of entering into a contract for borrowing money, well aware that they did not have the financial ability and intention to repay.

Consequently, Prime Finance Company is seeking court to enter judgment against the accused for breach of contract and an order for payment of consolidated sums of Shs43.1b.

Prime Finance Company is also seeking court to declare that the accused committed acts of fraud in business relationship, an order that the corporate veil of the three accused is lifted so that each is held liable in their individual capacity, general damages, further contractual interest and costs of the suit, among other relief as court may deem it fit.

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Over 100 aspirants attend NUP vetting

By
Ronard Shabomwe
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NUP Vetting Committee members doing the vetting.(photo by Ronard Shabomwe)

Over a hundred candidates who are aspiring for various positions in different parts of this country have been vetted by the National Unity Platform vetting committee of six members headed by the vetting committee chairperson Mercy Walukamba.

Those who have been vetted include the city mayors, Division Mayors and District LC V Chairpersons.

The party started the vetting process last week and it’s expected to last for two weeks.

According to Jeremiah Mwanje, the secretary of the party’s vetting committee; the vetting process began with applicants from greater Mubende which include districts such as Kasanda, Mityana among others.

Among those who have attended the vetting include the Makindye division Ali Ahmed Zikusooka, Kira Municipality Julius Mutebi Nsubuga, Ali Muryanyama of Makindye Division, Kawempe Division Emmanuel Serunjongi Oweddembe, Hamudan Semugoma Kigozi of Kampala central among many others.

In an interview with our reporter in Kampala, many of these aspirants explain how they are hopeful that the party will endorse them to be the flag bearers. Most of these candidates note that where they are vying to stand, people have been deprived of services, so they want to bring all the necessary services to people.

According to Julius Mutebi Nsubuga of Kira Municipality who has been in that position for over one term, Kira municipality still lacks a lot like infrastructures, health facilities and many others, that is why he has come back to fulfill.

“I would like to tell the people of Kira Municipality that I have been successfully vetted and I am coming to seek your mandate. I am the right person to represent NUP come 2021,” he said.

Hamudan Semugoma Kigozi the aspirant Kampala central division says he wants to improve the health care system in the area. He says Kampala central has a lot of challenges due to leaders who have decided to play politics instead of providing leadership.

Kigozi believes, upon being endorsed by the party, he will change the face of his area working with other leaders in the city.

Joel Senyonyi the NUP spokesperson reveals that by the end of this week, the party will announce results of councilors who were first to be vetted last week because their nominations are soon commencing.

Jeremiah Mwanje says the vetting process that is expected to last for two weeks intends to vet over six hundred five (605) aspirants.

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Emirates offers year-long benefit to students and families

By
Geoffery Serugo
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Fly Emirates plane

Fly Emirates has introduced an exciting deal that will help international students to see more of their family, and more of the world during the year.

In line with Emirates’ proposition as a global connector of people and places, the airline is launching this offer to encourage students to see more of the world and help them visit their families more often, with flexibility to amend their booking in case travel plans change.

Whether it is to travel between home and school, or to see more of the world with friends during school breaks throughout the year, student travelers can enjoy special discounts off Economy and Business class fares, additional baggage on top of Emirates’ generous standard allowance, and a free date change of their booking up until seven days before travel.

In addition, their family and companions can also enjoy this unique offer, as long as they are accompanied by the student on one of the trip sectors.

Millions of students have chosen to further their education in institutions outside of their home country, and data from the UNESCO Institute for Statistics shows that the figure is on a rising trend as young people become more savvy about their travel and education options. Many international students also travel during the school year with their friends or to gain new experiences.

Tickets must be booked by 31 October 2020, using the promotional code STUDENT. All tickets have a maximum stay validity of 12 months.

Students can earn miles to redeem flights, upgrades and a range of exciting rewards when they sign up to the Emirates Skywards loyalty program.

Health and safety: 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.

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, 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 31st 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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Uganda to use convalescent plasma for treatment of COVID-19

By
Our Reporter
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The Minister for Health Jane Ruth Aceng launches the randomized clinical trial for use of convalescent plasma for treatment of COVID-19 in Uganda

The Minister for Health Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng has launched the randomized clinical trial for use of COVID-19 convalescent plasma (CCP) for treatment of COVID-19 in Uganda.

A total of 162 COVID-19 convalescent plasma units have been collected. This can be used to treat 65 patients. Convalescent plasma is plasma from individuals who have recovered from an infection and it may contain antibodies against that infection.

“We are at phase IV of the outbreak. This means we have widespread community transmission. All our efforts are geared towards mitigation and use of CCP is one part of our strategies,” Dr Aceng said while launching the clinical trials.

She further appealed to individuals who have recovered from COVID-19 to continue giving plasma as teams will continue to require it for the trials.

Speaking at the launch of the clinical trial, the head Makerere University Lung Institute, Dr Bruce Kirenga said 186 recovered COVID-19 patients willingly consented to participate in the blood donation but only 162 qualified.

“The donors came from all parts of Uganda except Karamoja region, where there was no COVID-19 infection at the time,” he added.

All the plasma samples donated had enough antibodies to warrant use in treatment of COVID-19 patients.

There is emerging evidence from different countries to support the use of COVID-19 Convalescent plasma in the treatment of COVID-19 especially among severe and critical forms.

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Sipapa to appear before CID for shooting at Bobi Wine’s NUP Party gate

By
Geoffery Serugo
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Bobi Wine and Sipapa

Uganda Police’s Criminal Investigations Department (CID) has summoned City socialite Sipapa real names Charles Otim after reportedly attacking the National Unity Platform (NUP) headquarters at Kamwokya.

Yesterday, flanked by police officers, Sipapa provoked the youth at Bobi Wine’s Political Party, shot at the gate and injured one.

According to the spokesperson of NUP, Joel Ssenyonyi that was the second time when Sipapa was attacking the party offices saying the first time was in August this year.

“Last evening Sipapa for the second time around NUP offices in Kamwokya, provoked the youth there, shot at our gate and injured someone. Police came to escort him and not to arrest him. Uganda Police, is Sipapa one of your operatives, and is he above the law??” he said on social media.

And today, the spokesperson of CID Charles Twine said the under Electronic Counter Measures Department which monitors Social media and reporting to the director of police CID Grace Akullo, they established that Bobi Wine’s political party was attacked last evening however none of the Party members reported the matter.

“A file has been opened at Kira Road police station for inquiry however we have taken a stand to open up a case at CID and soon he will be summoned for questioning,” he said adding that on the first incident he was summoned to appear before Kira police but he declined.

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