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#Covid-19: ADB approves $9.52 million grants for East and Horn of Africa states

By
Agencies
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AfDB President Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina.

The Board of Directors of the African Development Fund (ADF) has approved $9.52 million grants to strengthen responses to the COVID-19 pandemic in East Africa and the Horn and in the Comoros.

The beneficiaries are Burundi, Comoros, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda. Funding will also go toward the procurement of essential medical supplies, including testing kits and to train health workers.

The grant is part of the $10 billion COVID-19 Rapid Response Facility (CRF) approved by the Board of Directors in April 2020 and complements the Bank’s direct support to regional member countries across the continent.

The funds will be used to bolster health systems and disease surveillance, enhance infection prevention and control, and improve regional coordination by the East African Community (EAC) and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to contain cross-border transmissions.

“The overall objective of the operation is to reduce the incidence and mortality in the Eastern African region due to COVID-19 pandemic and other disease outbreaks,” Martha Phiri, Director for Human and Social Development said.

The EAC Secretariat will receive $8.79 million in tranches of $8.16 million and $629,582 while $729, 581 will go to IGAD. The World Health Organization will be the implementing agency for the emergency response activities in the EAC and IGAD member states, and the Comoros, while the RECs will be directly responsible for executing the cross-border interventions.

Countries in Eastern and the Horn of Africa are enforcing stringent border measures to mitigate the cross-border transmissions that have led to disruptions in the movement of people, trade flows and access to essential goods. The project will, therefore, tackle these challenges by improving testing and case detection capacity at border crossings and improving regional coordination. The Project will also support EAC and IGAD to roll out regional COVID-19 digital tracking systems to facilitate cross-border surveillance. This will make the regional bodies better prepared to counter cross-border transmissions during future pandemics.

The grants align with the Bank’s High five priority commitments, specifically to improving the quality of life for the people of Africa, and to advancing regional integration. The financing also strongly aligns with the Eastern Africa Regional Strategy Paper, which calls for enhanced cooperation in managing regional public goods.

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Masaka Boda-boda rider sets himself ablaze in OC’s office

By
Our Reporter
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Masaka police station where the boda man set himself ablaze

Unidentified boda-boda rider has set himself ablaze in the officer the Officer in Charge (OC) of the station at Masaka central police station (CPS).

Reports indicate that on Monday, police officers in operation to enforce president Museveni’s directives peddled at curbing the spread of #Covid-19 pandemic, they impounded the deceased’s motorbike Bajaj Boxer. The deceased is averred to have been riding during curfew hours.

Unlike usual police actions of impounding and arresting a boda-boda rider, the deceased was told to go home and look for money to get his bike back.

However, a source in police told Eagle Online that contrary to assertion that he was a boda-boda, the fact are that the man was a cook at the same station where he cooked for Field Force Unit of the police. The source further revealed that the deceased was a resident of the police barracks.

“It was a mistake of the police because that man is one of their own, the boda-boda bit is a side income otherwise he is a cook at the same station where he cooks for Field Force Unit. He stays in the same barracks. The actually story is that they impounded his motorcycle on June 1, but when he went to police to reclaim it, he was asked by the OC for money which he couldn’t manage to pay and so he decided to go back to the barracks where he returned from and set himself ablaze”.

Earlier today, the boda-boda man reported to OC’s office in bid to get his bike back. To his dismay, he was asked to pay Shs 50,000 which he could not afford. He tried to plead with the OC however he declined.

The man however decided to go and buy fuel to set himself and the officer ablaze. The officer however managed to escape as the rider suffocates in office.

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CEHURD urges parliament to enact policies to tackling teenage pregnancies

By
Francisco Adongo
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Speaker Kadaga and CEHURD delegation.

The Center for Health, Human Rights and Development (CEHURD) has urged Parliament to enact policies aimed at tackling teenage pregnancies and supporting school health amid the #COVID-19 Pandemic.

In the meeting with the Speaker, Rebecca Kadaga at the Kampala Serena Conference Centre earlier today, Fatia Kiyange, the Deputy Executive Director of CEHURD said that there is a need for a national school health policy to protect and promote the well-being of school communities.

“We need Parliament through its Committees on Health and Education to exercise its oversight role in inquiring into the policy gaps in school health,” she said.

Kiyange said that it is now necessary because of the rising challenges created by #COVID-19 such as increasing teenage pregnancies as clearly highlighted in daily national news.

“There has been for example an unprecedented spike in news of young girls in Luuka and Kaliro districts getting pregnant during the lockdown,” she said adding that, ‘60 learners between the age of 14 and 15 in those districts were pregnant and likely to miss school when the school term re-opens’.

Kiyange added that the national school health policy should focus on effective school health interventions and provide a context for effective health related school programmes.

She called on the Speaker and Parliament to engage the government on implementation of the school health policy, fast-tracking of the parliamentary resolution to end teenage pregnancy and implementation of the 2015 National Strategy on ending child marriage and teenage pregnancies.

The Speaker acknowledged the concern citing sporadic reports in the media in different parts of the country with some cases of teenage pregnancies arising from incest.

Kadaga confirmed that Robina Nakasirye, the Kyotera Woman MP, had raised the matter of the national school health policy three months ago on the floor of Parliament asking why it had taken the Education Ministry so long to implement.

“This reminder is an energizer for us to call out the Ministry on its progress in implementing the national school health policy because ever since we passed those resolutions on teenage pregnancy, nothing has happened,” she added.

The Speaker promised to push the Committee of Health to come up with a resolution on the content of the national school health policy that would be debated in Parliament with aim of tackling all salient areas.

Kadaga, however, added that Parliament had already played the biggest part of this role in bringing these matters to the attention of the Prime Minister for action.

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UCC suspends sim card registration for corporate companies

By
Our Reporter
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The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has suspended the sale of Sim cards to companies, non-government organisations (NGO) and public institutions pending investigations.

In a letter issued by the UCC Acting Executive Director Irene Kaggwa Sewankambo (pictured above), she directed all operators to immediately suspend the sale of SIM cards to companies, Non-Governmental Organisations, Ministries, Departments and Agencies of Government and any other unnatural persons.

“The suspension is to avert the risk of further breach of the law pending the conclusion of the ongoing investigations,” Ms Kaggwa Sewankambo wrote.

“UCC has received complaints alleging failure and/or refusal by operators to adhere to the set SIM card registration processes, especially in respect of SIM cards sold to corporate customers.” He said

Under the set guidelines, corporate bodies can have unlimited SIM cards registered in their name as long as the accounting officer has furnished the provider with relevant documents, including articles and memorandum of association.

However, it is alleged that unscrupulous individuals have taken advantage of this loophole to submit fake company documents to providers on the basis of which they get multiple SIM cards registered.

In her letter to the operators, invoking sections 5(1) (b) (j) and 45 of the Uganda Communications Act 2013, the UCC Executive Director asked them to co-operate in the investigation by providing relevant information.

The suspension of SIM card registration for corporate entities is to remain in place until the process of registration of SIM cards by companies and other corporate entities has been streamlined to plug gaps exploited by fraudsters.

SIM card registration for individual customers is not affected by this regulatory action. Members of the public are advised to purchase SIM cards from authorised agents in person and provide original National IDs, and fingerprint information (Biometrics).

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Suspect, two police officers perish in a road accident

By
Our Reporter
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The photo of late detective Mawa.

Two Police Officers and a suspect have died in a road accident this morning at Magamaga Trading Center along Iganga – Jinja Highway. The incident happened at around 0500 hours today July 2, 2020.

According to Busoga East Region Police Spokesperson ASP James Mubi, the accident involved motor vehicle registration number UBF 837K Toyota Premio which had a head on collision with a trailer Reg No. KCQ 638C /ZC 738 Foton and later a side brush with a Police vehicle number UP 7483

He said the three people died on spot. The deceased include; D/ AIP Emmanuel Mawa attached to General Crime at CID headquarters, D / Sgt Dick Magara from General Crime CID headquarters and Phillip Wadambwa a suspect who was being escorted.

“The bodies have been conveyed to Jinja Hospital mortuary for postmortem. Inquiries to establish the cause of accident are underway,” He said

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#Covid-19: UK sees off 92 Ugandans to Entebbe International Airport

By
Simon Kabayo
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Ugandans departing UK for Entebbe.

The Ugandan High Commission in London has successfully seen off a total of 92 Ugandan Nationals and legal residents to Entebbe International Airport.

The group has been stranded in the United Kingdom and Ireland due to the outbreak of COvid-19 pandemic. They are expected to arrive at Entebbe International airport today July 2, 2020 at 5.00 PM aboard Ethiopian Airlines.

According to a statement released by the state minister of foreign affairs Henry Okello Oryem, Other categories of people including students, Government officials, Business people who had travelled to the United Kingdom for various reasons were also aboard.

“After fulfilling standard procedures issued by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Health, the Ugandans were seen off at London Heathrow Airport by Uganda’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, His Excellency Ambassador Julius Peter Moto”

Amb. Moto

This website has also confirmed that there is another repatriation flight of Ugandan Nationals who were stranded in, Italy, Switzerland, South Africa, Botswana, Eswanti, Lesotho and Namibia. The flights are scheduled to land at Entebbe airport later today.

Recently the Minister of Health, Jane Ruth Aceng said all individuals intending to return home will be subjected to mandatory two weeks quarantine at their government quarantine centers of their choice.

Last week, over 300 Ugandans were repatriated from various countries which included Sudan.

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UPDF losses two Generals in a day

By
Geoffery Serugo
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Two soldiers of Uganda people’s defence forces (UPDF) Maj. Gen Eric Mukasa and Brig. Gen Victor Twesigye have passed on this morning. Their demise has been confirmed by the UPDF spokesperson Brig. Richard Karemire.

Maj. Gen Eric died earlier this morning at Nakasero hospital where he has spent some time grappling with unrevealed illness.

According to Brig Karemire, Gen Eric has been serving as the chief of reserve forces.

Brig. Gen Victor Twesigye died this morning after he fell in the bathroom at his country home in Nyarushanje, Rukungiri district.  The deceased has been the UPDF attach in India.

“We have lost two other gallant officers. May their souls rest in peace,” Karemire said

Their death happened barely two days after the passing on of Brigadier Jackson ‘Bell’ Tushabe. Tushabe died at Nakasero hospital.

The demise of the three comes barely a month after the death of another bush war hero, Brig Kasirye Gwanga and Brig Tumusiime Sikagi.

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No toll fees for Kampala- Entebbe Expressway- Gen Katumba

By
Geoffery Serugo
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NO TROOP DEPLOYMENT TO SOUTH SUDAN: Chief of Defence Forces-Gen.Katumba Wamala.

The Minister of Works and Transport, Gen Katumba Wamala has dismissed social media reports that government has started collecting toll fees from motorists using Kampala-Entebbe Expressway.
Gen Katumba tweeted:  “My attention has been drawn to fake news circulating on social media asserting that collection of toll fees has commenced on the Kampala-Entebbe Expressway. Please note that such information is false and should be treated with the contempt it deserves,”
The shs1.8 trillion expressway was constructed by China Communication Construction Company and the motorists were supposed to pay for using it but the Uganda National Roads Authority said it was procuring a contractor to manage the collection of the fees.
In 2019, parliament passed The Roads Bill, 2018 which provides for the collection of road tolls to pay off the loan for the road.
The expressway is currently Uganda’s only toll road with a total of three main toll plazas that consists of a total of 16 toll gates.

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MPs opposed creation of new counties

By
Ronard Shabomwe
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Local Government Minister, Raphael Magyezi

The creation of 15 new counties hit a snag following protests from several legislators who accused the Minister of Local Government, Raphael Magyezi of picking and ignoring other proposals during creation of the new constituencies.

This prompted the Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga to refer the matter to the Committee on Public Service and Local Government and Public Service.

“I have seen the records of the 2015 report. A number of decisions and resolutions were made. I think we need to look at them wholesomely; so I want to give the Minister three weeks and he reports back[to parliament],” she said.

Magyezi had presented a motion for approval of the new counties of Buyanja East, Ngariam, Agago West, Bukanga North, Bukimbiri, Nakaseke Central, Kiboga West, Buhweju West, Lamwo East, Bugangazi South, Chekwii East, Buwekula South, Kwania North, West Budama Central and Kagoma North.

He told parliament that the new counties would take effect on 01 July 2020, saying that they fulfilled all the requirements in accordance with the Constitution.

“The 15 counties were found justified and necessary for improved service delivery and efficient political representation,” he said.

He added that government is still processing requests for creation of 31 other counties.

But the lawmakers questioned the criteria used to approve the counties. Aswa County MP Reagan Okumu said during the parliament debate that the approval of the new counties be deferred until all legislators are in harmony.

MP Jovah Kamateeka said that the Minister should return with a comprehensive explanation why some requests were omitted.

“There is no equitable distribution of the new counties. We need further clarification on the criteria used to select the 15 while others were left out,” she said.

Aruu County MP Odonga Otto said that government should instead consider suspending the next general elections instead of creating new counties.

“All constituencies are urgent, why consider some and leave out others,” Otto said.

Cecilia Ogwal urged her counterparts to approve the 15 new districts and allow the Minister to process those pending.

“Last time we approved the new municipalities, we should do the same for the proposed counties and wait for the pending ones to be presented. It will be wrong for us to block their approval,” she said.

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Cities become operational with hurdles ahead

By
Geoffery Serugo
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Republic Street in Mbale town

Today, Wednesday, July 1, 2020 marks the beginning of operationalisation of the five municipalities that were approved by Parliament in April.

They begin operating under strained financial conditions as the country prepares for 2021general elections.

Arua, Jinja, Mbarara, Gulu Mbale, Masaka and Fort Portal are now cities and they will need to invest billions of shillings for service delivery building infrastructure.
According to Minister for Local Government Raphael Magyezi, sections of political leaders threatening to fail the commencement of new cities through a court injunction.

“Ministry of Local government made public the guidelines for the operationalisation of the cities clearing away the fears of cutting short the term of office to which the current political leadership was elected.” He said

According to guidelines, the interim mayor shall continue serving in the capacity in the division in which the city headquarters is situated.

The interim mayor shall also appoint interim deputy mayor, interim executive council composed of five members who will include; the mayor, his deputy, and three secretaries. The mayor shall carry on the roles of speaker and deputy speaker.

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