The Minister of Works and Transport Monica Azuba Ntege has Tuesday inaugurated the newly appointed Board of Directors for Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) making an appeal for transparency and accountability in their three year tenure.

The seven member Board will be headed by the former State Minister for Finance Fred Omach who succeeds Angela Kiryabwire Kanyima.

Other members of the new team include Dr. Umar Bagampade, Eng. Samson Bagonza, Dr. Joseph Muvawala, Laban Mulanuko, Ms. Petra Sansa Tenywa and the UNRA Executive Director Allen Kagina as an ex officio.

They were sworn in under an oath administered by the Head of Anti-Corruption Court Justice Lawrence Gidudu at an event held at Kampala Serena Hotel.

The new Board will be faced with a daunting task to create a new dawn at the roads Authority following a regime of corruption that marred the entity in the recent past.

A commission of inquiry into UNRA led by Lady Justice Catherine Bamugemereire in 2016 partly blamed the Board of Directors then for negligence in oversight as the fraudulent procurement processes and insider trading prevailed.

For five months, the Board was suspended by then Minister of Works and Transport Abraham Byandala claiming that their negligence was stalling road projects.

It is from this background that current Transport Minister Monica Atege Nzuba urged the new Board to adhere to strict accountability and to ensure that there’s zero tolerance to corruption.

“I charge the new Board to demand accountability from UNRA management which will be through quarterly reports that show the performance of projects,” the Minister said.

She also asked that as opposed to their predecessors who spent a lot of the time in boardrooms, the new Board should get out in the field and carry out supervision.

Although she admitted that the entity is faced with inadequate funding given its ambitious mandate, the Minister tasked the new team along with Management to “think of ways and practical solutions to bridge the gap and deliver better services”.

Fred Omach, the new Board Chair noted that road infrastructure is at the heart of government’s effort to integrate the economy adding that; “The Board will be participatory and take decisions based on consensus.”

He however asked the Minister that UNRA regulations whose implementation has dragged on for years be fast tracked.

The UNRA Executive Director Allen Kagina in her remarks hailed the line Minister for appointing a new team without allowing for time lags as was the case before.

“We shall work closely with the new Board to wipe out corruption by establishing internal systems that will detect malpractices and deal with them and to create an efficient transport network,” she said.

Kagina reiterated the plan to build UNRA’s machinery and human resource capacity that will see it construct it’s own roads.

Members of Parliament (MPs) have Tuesday expressed disgust over comments made recently by the former intelligence operative, Charles Rwomushana that female legislators are all prostitutes. The MPs today called for immediate action to be taken against him.

The issue was raised by the Lira Woman MP, Joy Atim Ongom who said that the female MPs felt abused in the face of their children, parents and families.

Atim told the house that Rwomushana made the claims on March 9 during the Frontline TV Program, where he was debating affirmative action in Uganda.

“Mr. Rwomushana was saying that the way and the conduct of women MPs in this country is wanting; he said that the way they behave and the way they conduct themselves they just clap their hands when there are issues of corruption, they conduct themselves in a way as if they want Ministerial posts which sometimes they don’t even get,” Atim narrated to the house.

She added that Rwomushana went further to claim that this behavior of female legislators began back in the Constituent Assembly.

“Despite the attempt by the moderator to ask him to withdraw the statement which was derogatory, he refused saying he won’t not until he is given some diplomatic word but he stands by his word that Female MPs are prostitutes,” Atim observed.

“We as MPs are calling on Mr. Rwomushana to withdraw in public his statement and whatever he uttered or else we drag him to Court as Women MPs.”

In response to the issue at hand, the Minister of ICT and Information, Frank Tumwebaze said he has already instructed the Uganda Communication Commission (UCC) to commence investigations into the matter.

The Deputy Speaker, Jacob Oulanyah who was presiding over the house ordered Tumwebaze to speed up all the investigations so as to issue a statement on the matter by Thursday.

Activists have called on government to take action towards reducing the length of pretrial detention following a report that revealed that 20% of committed prisoners in Uganda have spent 3 or more years in detention awaiting their trial.

Civil society and human rights defenders say this violates individual rights and contravenes the 60 day limit for remand guaranteed by the Constitution.

They also argue that the 26,000 prisoners currently in pretrial detention have contributed to the congestion in the prison system which strains the country’s resources.

On Tuesday, the Foundation for Human Rights Initiative (FHRI) released a report titled ‘Justice Delayed is Justice Denied’ highlighting the plight of pretrial detainees.

According to the findings in a 9 months study conducted in 15 districts across Uganda between June 2016 and. February 2017, 3,614 (28%) inmates suspected with non-capital offences are in unlawful detention.

In addition, 628 (20%) individuals charged with capital offences are currently detained beyond the constitutional time limit.

“Among prisoners interviewed by FHRI, 92% indicated having spent more than 48 hours in police detention, suspects of capital and non-capital offences alike,” the report states.

“The average stay in police detention for suspects of capital offences interviewed was 12.7 days (305 hours) and for suspects of non-capital offences was 11.3 days (271 hours)”

Researchers attribute this trend to the absence of a time limit for pretrial detainees committed to High Court as well as discrepancies in the laws.

The report cites that despite the Constitutional Court nullifying them, provisions of the Trial on Indictments Act, Magistrates Courts Act and Prisons Act of 2006 which provide for longer pretrial detention time limits than the Constitution still remain in the statute books.

In 2015 alone, lengthy pretrial detention was the second highest complaint registered by the Uganda Human Rights Commission with 247 complaints representing 27% of the total complaints recorded.

Dr. Livingstone Sewanyana, the Executive Director FHRI while speaking at the launch of the report at Hotel Africana called on the justice system to introduce a time limit in which a trial should be concluded once a committal has taken place.

“Our Constitution stipulates that one is innocent until they are convicted. When we have prisons overcrowded due to lengthy unlawful detention, this questions the observance of human rights,” Sewanyana noted.

He said that overcrowding prisons deprives the country of financial resources which are spent on inmates and also affects productivity since these individuals would otherwise be engaging in economic activity.

Currently, there are an estimated 51,882 inmates in prisons across Uganda and 52% of these are pretrial detainees. The prisons system today operates at 312% of the required capacity which has financial implications on the national budget.

The cost of feeding one inmate annually amounts to Ushs 1.35 million implying that the country spends approximately Ushs 70 billion on feeding prisons inmates, all other basic requirements excluded.

The report suggests adoption of the Legal Aid Policy t extend legal aid to prisoners,  addressing the understaffing problem in the judiciary and strengthening of investigative capacity of the police.

It further proposes an enhancement in remuneration of state brief lawyers and an increase in the number of remand homes.

The Office of the Inspectorate General of Government (IGG) has cleared Kabarole district’s decision to rent out the Youth Information Center at Nyabukara Boma to Kampala International University (KIU).

This in effect ends a battle that had persisted between a section of councilors and the district chairperson who they were accusing of selling it off.

In January 2015 President Yoweri Museveni commissioned the Kabarole Youth and Information Center but since then the building had not been put to use as government failed to equip it, prompting council in April 2016 to pass a resolution to rent it out to KIU.

But weeks after passing the council resolution, Councilors Joseph Mashuhuko and Stella Kemigabo took to airwaves with claims that the district chairperson Richard Rwabuhinga had sold off the structure.

This required the intervention of the office of the IGG to investigate the corruption scam.

In a letter dated 3rd January, 2017 signed by Nicholas Kajura addressed to Robert Alinatwe the Publicity Secretary Kabarole District Youth council and Copied to Director IGG regional offices Kampala, investigations were carried out and findings indicated that Kabarole district followed the rightful procedures thus clearing it to rent out the building to KIU.

The letter states that after president Museveni commissioned the shs250million building, it remained abandoned, prompting the district to rent it out to KIU that had showed interest at shs1.5m per month.

It also indicates that a government valuer was engaged to establish the monthly rent for the centre; and zeroed on Shs 1.5m.

According to the IGG, Kabarole considered to utilize the raised money to equip the centre when the contract expires. In addition, KIU boss Hassan Basajjabalaba would train the Kabarole youths in computer skills and health services; erect a permanent perimeter wall and extend piped water to the facility.

Chief Administrative Officer CAO Kabarole Dunstan Balaba confirms KIU has already deposited shs36million in rent on the district Youth Fixed Bank Account.

Three months after the clashes between security operatives and the elements of the Obusinga bwa Rwenzururu kingdom in Kasese which police said claimed 87 people including 16 police officers, Human Rights Watch (HRW), an international human rights watchdog has called for an independent investigation into killings.

The watchdog has further urged that the commanding officers of the military operation which saw the Omusinga Charles Wesley Mumbere’s palace raided and ravaged step down pending the investigations.

On Wednesday, the associate Africa Director for HRW, Maria Burnett said the events that transpired in Kasese warrant an independent, impartial fact finding mission with international expertise.

This comes after a separate investigation conducted by HRW in Kasese in which several victims, witnesses and army officers referred to.

“Ugandan government should immediately suspend the commanding army and police officials believed to be most responsible for the killings and other abuses committed during the November violence,” Human Rights Watch said in a report released on their website on Wednesday.

“The government should promptly investigate, prosecute, and punish those responsible in accordance with international standards. The government should protect witnesses and compensate the families of victims,” it added.

The report gives specific reference to the recently promoted Maj. Gen Elwelu saying; “he should be removed from command pending a full investigation, and should not participate in any internationally-supported training, conferences or joint exercises until investigations conclude.”

HRW said their appeal for an independent investigation is based on the unwillingness of the government of Uganda to prosecute the perpetrators and give “a more accurate death toll”.

“The government should acknowledge a more accurate death toll and facilitate the exhumation, identification, and return to family members of all the bodies disposed of by police and military in any location, guaranteeing the families’ safety.”

According to its preliminary findings, Human Rights Watch places the actual number to be much higher – at least 55 people, including at least 14 police, killed on November 26, and more than 100, including at least 15 children, during the attack on the palace compound on November 27.

“The horrific events of November in Kasese warrant international scrutiny in an independent, impartial investigation that can determine all the crimes that took place, including potential crimes against humanity,” Burnett said.

“The victims’ families deserve answers about why the military and police killed the people in the palace, including young children.”

In its statement, HRW raises concern that while government has arrested and charged more than 180 people, including the Rwenzururu King, Mumbere with murder, treason, and terrorism, no member of the police or military has been charged for the killing of the civilians, including children.

The watchdog adds that the army spokesman, Brig. Richard Karemire in February revealed that there has been no investigation into the military’s conduct and that none is planned.

Human Rights Watch interviewed more than 95 people in six subcounties of the Kasese district, including many families of the people killed, and reviewed video and photographs of the events. But it says many people voiced significant fears of reprisals given the presence of security forces in the area.

“In video footage reviewed by Human Rights Watch, two soldiers are seen beating shirtless male detainees who are lying on the ground with their hands tied behind their backs after running out of the burning palace compound,” the statement reveals.

“The assault on the palace in Kasese, which killed more people than any single event since the height of the war in Northern Uganda over a decade ago, should not be swept under the carpet,” said Burnett

“People in Kasese are still looking for their family members, including children, and they deserve answers and justice for these gruesome killings,” she added.

In its report, HRW said it spoke to 14 families and some of those are still looking for the victims’ bodies but are afraid to ask questions about the attack or where the bodies are.

It says 15 children between ages 3 and 14  from these families who were last seen in the palace compound in November are still missing.

“Human Rights Watch found evidence, including accounts by confidential sources and medical personnel who witnessed the events, that security officials had misrepresented the number of people killed and eliminated evidence of the children’s deaths,” says the report.

HRW claims to have spoken to several army officers who expressed significant discomfort with the events in Kasese but were unsurprised by the absence of investigations into the military’s conduct.

“They said they did not believe that any local entity would have the space or independence to conduct a meaningful investigation without obstructions from the government and fear of reprisals.”

A high ranking military official is reported to have told HRW that; “It was a horrible event, but who in this country can investigate?” said one high-ranking military official. “It is far above us all. How do you wake up and start investigating so far above you?”

It should be recalled that in January, a group of Members of Parliament including the Leader of Opposition in Parliament Winnie Kizza filed a petition to the International Criminal Court seeking an investigation into the killings in Kasese.

ChimpReports has learnt that government is set to respond to the report released by HRW later today.

The police have promised to reconstruct a house in Bbiina Parish, Makindye Division in Kampala district, whose roof was blown off by the force’s chopper on Monday.

The police helicopter on Monday afternoon blew off the roof of Annet Nampijja’s house while it flew at low altitude above the area.

The gust of wind as a result tore off the roof of the house and destroyed a number of household items.

“I was out at the time and coming home, I found that the roof of my house had been ripped off,” Nampijja told ChimpReports.

The roof of the house was thrown in the back yard by the chopper

According to Vincent Sseremba, a neighbor, the incident happened at around 2:30 pm when out of nowhere the low flying copper wrecked havoc in the locality.

 “I realized it was flying so low and it sort of touched the house. The strong wind then blew off the roof but the chopper continued with its way. It later returned and went towards Entebbe,” Sseremba narrated.

Pilot Speaks Out

According to Capt. Aziz Ssentamu, one of the pilots in the chopper, there was a bad weather and they decided to fly lower than usual to avoid the low cloud.

Col. Ham Kaija (C) with one of the pilots Capt. Aziz Ssentamu

 “When there is such a low cloud, helicopters are restricted and cannot go higher. Unfortunately the pilot had to come down to 2500 feet and the wind blew off the roof,” Capt. Ssentamu explained.

 “There was no intention to cause the damage,” he added.

Col. Ham Kaija, the Commandant Police Air Wing explained that Bbiina is a turning and holding area for choppers where they usually wait before being given green light to proceed to the airport or airstrip.

“Normally they keep on releasing one chopper at a time and that might explain why on that day it was hovering around,” Col.Kaija explained.

The police spokesperson Andrew Felix Kaweesi however assured residents that the destroyed house would be reconstructed by their construction team.

Police’s construction unit examining the house

“We have ascertained the damage caused and we will reconstruct it and pay damages caused to other property,” Kaweesi said.

He however noted that the incident happened because the house involved was poorly constructed and was not firm thus the roof was easily blown off by the wind of the chopper.

“It was not an accident as such but a technical decision by the pilot to bring the chopper lower because of the bad weather.

Captain Bosco Alepere, a UPDF officer who is among the 14 people accused of attacking Kabamba Army Barracks in 2014 today broke down in court while narrating how he was tortured by fellow officers who arrested him.

Captain Alepere is on defense in the Trial-within-a-trial which came up after he denied recording a statement that was produced in court by a Police Detective AIP Felix Tulihamwe. In the statement, the UPDF officer purportedly admits to have had information about the Kabamba Attack

During his defense, Alepere informed court that on 17th May 2014 he was arrested by one Lt. Col. Tingira from an army school in Karama. He recounts however that it wasn’t a normal arrest considering how he was grossly handled. He says he had his hands and legs bound from behind; he was blindfolded, boxed and slapped, and trampled upon the head.

The arresting officers led by Col Tingira, he says, grabbed him and covered his mouth, pushed him to the ground and tied him up.

“In the process, he says he heard one officer begging Col Tingira “not to kill the solider here.”

From here he says he was bundled on a vehicle and driven to Kabamba Hospital.

“Later on, the blindfold was removed and Col Tingira started asking me the whereabouts of the money I purportedly received together with Lt Col Philip Eguma on Mobile Money. I denied, and asked how I could have received money on the same number with Eguma who at the time was in Jinja,” he narrated.

Alepere says this angered his captors, who brought metallic items and placed them between his fingers and on pressing them he started bleeding. Out of fear and anguish he says he told them the money was in Masaka, Kasijagirwa Barracks; banking on the chance that reaching there, fellow soldiers would rescue him.

He says they drove to Masaka and didn’t find the money, after which point he heard them saying that they would proceed to Kampala.

In Kampala he says he was held in different dark rooms and tortured without being fed.

 “I can’t recall the days I spent in those rooms; but I remember one day, some men came to interrogate me and told me that Col Tingira had warned them that I am big-headed,” he said.

 “With all my body wounded from the beatings, one day they came, removed my cloths and they started pricking my private parts with sharp objects. I am willing to show all these scars if court wants me to.”

At this point the Captain, who was in tears, was unable to proceed with his submission which prompted the defense counsel Fredrick Semwanga to seek an adjournment for further examination.

Court Martial Chairman Lt Gen Andrew Gutti adjourned further hearing of this matter to next week and Alepere was further remanded to Makindye Military Barracks.

By Ivan Rugambwa

Women activists have demanded for an end to gender-based discrimination at work, arguing that it not only dehumanizes women, but also undermines overall productivity of work.

Speaking at a public dialogue organized by the Konrad- Adenaeur stiftung (KAS) to explore media coverage of Women in the world of work, Dr. Madina Guloba, an economist with the Makerere University- based Economic Policy Research Center decried the fact that women are consistently paid less than men in “nearly every occupation”, singling out the armed services and the private sector as the biggest culprits of this wage disparity in Uganda.

Globally, women continue to earn up to 24% less than Men, according to the International Labor Organization, but in Uganda, Madina said, it is worse.

“In some spaces, women continue to earn 3-5times less than men” she said, quoting a UN Report.

The report also noted that despite having the same qualifications, Men degree holders in Uganda earn on average Shs.700, 000, compared to Shs.520, 000 for their female counterparts. The result of this inequality, the report noted, was that 2 of every 10 employed women in Uganda, were poor!

The findings ignited the fury of an already charged women-dominated audience, with   many of the discussants pointing out that economic inequality was but a manifestation of women’s still – elusive quest for gender equality. NBS TV’s Rukshana Namuyimba noted that often times at work, women are expected to work twice as hard to prove themselves,-reinforcing earlier statistics given by Madiina that 75.9% of women workers do not take maternity leave for fear of losing their jobs.

Patience Akumu, an award winning journalist now working with the International Charity – Oxfam International, called upon employers to value women’s child-bearing duties and factor them in their planning, noting, “It is not normal to live in a society that doesn’t consider giving birth valuable, when globally, it is valued at $10trillion.”

The dialogue, blending women journalists, activists and a host of their male colleagues particularly singled out the media for criticism, with discussants arguing that the media’s representation and portrayal of women was responsible for shaping perceptions and reinforcing stereotypes about them.

Godiva Akullo, a feminist lawyer in particular decried the absence of women on television and radio talk-shows, arguing that it reinforced the stereotype that women were incapable of holding their own in such discussions.

The discussion on ‘manels’- an euphemism for all-male panels would provoke debate beyond the dialogue onto social media, popularizing the harshtags – #WomenInMediaUG and #NoManels. “How can we after 25years of Ugandan FM radio, be having the first female talk-show host?” Asked the Agha Khan Foundation’s Irene Ikomu, joining the conversation via twitter.

She was referring to Radio One’s Norah Owaraga, who last month started hosting the radio’s premier talk-show program – Spectrum.  She attributed the limited female voices on political issues to a social conditioning that discourages women from being combative and overly passionate –traits often synonymous with political discussions.

NTV Uganda’s Raymond Mujuni, joining the conversation via the same platform, noted that ‘manels’ were only a reflection of a gender-imbalanced news cycle, which barely talks to women for news, systematically elevating men as authorities on news subjects, at the expense of women.

“Sourcing is largely political, the news is majorly political & the politics is tilted in favor of prominence, which is sadly male dominated.”  He tweeted, before adding, “So when it comes to constituting panels for shows and names are being suggested, it’s naturally easy to pick from the same ‘authorities’”

As the debate wound down, Godiva, as if giving those involved in the discussion some homework to think over, tweeted “Imagine how much we are losing by requiring women to do double work of first justifying our existence before making our contributions!” – It was a challenge to which nobody couldn’t easily find a plausible response.

The next day, ahead of Capital FM’s Capital Gang talk-show program, Oscar Semwoya Musoke –the host, was publically inquiring for recommendations of a female pundit, that could feature on the show, which like all its colleagues, has always largely been an all – male affair.

Government has come out to criticize the report released on Wednesday by Human Rights Watch which recommended among other interventions an international independent investigation into the November 2016 clashes in Kasese and suspension of commandants of the military operation.

At a news conference summoned shortly after the report was published, the Police and the army have reverted describing the report as ‘inconsistent’ and ‘lacking depth on the genesis’ on events that occurred in Kasese.

Brigadier Richard Karemire the UPDF spokesperson who addressed the press along with police spokesperson AIGP Andrew Feli Kawesi and government Spokesperson Ofwono Opondo disregarded the findings of Human Rights Watch.

He said the report downplayed the magnitude of lawlessness in Kasese which nearly culminated into a genocide adding that there’s no need for any investigation so far.

“Uganda doesn’t lack independent investigative capacity if there’s need. The call by HRW to suspend our officers is uncalled for and unacceptable because we didn’t find them at fault,” the government said.

Brig. Karemire gave an account of 13 coordinated attacks between June and November last year by militia and youth belonging to the Obusinga bwa Rwenzururu on police officers, soldiers and police posts. He said during the attacks, security forces were killed, guns stolen and several civilians killed.

“Guns recovered from the Omusinga’s palace on November 27 when the army conducted a raid after the Rwenzururu King refused to have the militias disbanded were the same guns stolen from police.”

“The report ignores deaths of security officers and civilians that succumbed to these attacks. It also promotes militia in the region by referring to matchetes that were used as weapons as agricultural tools,” the statement further read.

Regarding the alleged deaths of children during the Kasese clashes, government said that HRW lacks evidence to back the claims.

“UPDF has a good record of protecting children and women. Why doesn’t the report mention the names of the families affected and the children that HRW claims are missing?” the UPDF Spokesperson wondered.

The figures provided in the government rebuttal places the death toll at 103 including 16 police officers and states that 51 bodies were unclaimed and consequently buried.

The government maintains that all dead bodies were recorded and that those claiming that persons are missing ought to cross check with the records.

Responding to whether the officers involved in the attacks will be investigated or brought to book, Police publicist Andrew Kaweesi said “The shooting at the Omusinga’s palace was lawful under the circumstances because our officers were acting in self-defense and they used necessary force.”

“We can’t be prosecuted for carrying out a lawful operation,” he added.

Government spokesperson Ofwono Opondo attacked the HRW saying “the report is a pointer to mischief and pandering. We don’t want groups like HRW to take us for granted.”

“At no point did government obstruct HRW from gathering their evidence. If they had the facts, they would have include the names of the people they claim to be missing in the report,” Opondo said.

President Museveni is mulling assisting St Balikuddembe market traders whose are on the verge of losing the market to a loan. The market land is currently on sale by a warrant of court dated January 4.

The President’s thoughts were revealed by the Government Chief whip; Ruth Nankabirwa on the floor of the house on Wednesday after Mukono Municipality MP, Betty Nambooze said tension is growing amongst the traders.

The Owino Market as it is better known, was put on sale by a warrant of court arising from a suit between the St. Balikudembe Market Stalls, Space and Lock ups Association and DFCU Bank over an overdue loan of Sh4.8Billion plus execution costs.

The market leadership borrowed Shs 2.8Billion from the bank to purchase and redevelop the market but has since failed to pay, pushing the loan to Shs 4.8Bn.

“The point of concern here is the fate of over 50, 000 vendors working  in this market, putting into consideration that KCCA has just reclaimed a space that has been accommodating many of our traders at the Nakivubo Park yard market,” Nambooze said.

 “Owino market is the biggest market in the country; we all trade there and it will be very bad if the people are dispersed the following day without planning where to put them; I would like to know whether government is considering bailing out the vendors in the market quickly.”

In response, Nankabirwa noted that government is aware of the case and attests to the fact that the traders secured a loan from DFCU which however was not guaranteed by government.

“I received documents, it is true that they went to DFCU bank and secured a loan, it was not guaranteed by government but now we have been faced with a problem which involves a lot of people as stated.”

Nankabirwa revealed the president was petitioned by the traders on the matter but he was yet to give his response.

“What I am going to do is to make sure that I draw his attention to the matter again since the president is the senior Minister of Finance and I will get back to the house.”

Ugandan authorities have impounded over 500 books said to be controversially political, Chimp Corps report.

Makerere law don Busingye Kabumba described as “scandalous” the seizure of the book titled, ‘Controlling Consent’ on Uganda’s 2016 elections.

“Your consignment of 668 books has been seized and is liable to forfeiture in accordance with the provisions of the East African Community Customs Management Act,” read part of the notice of seizure which ChimpReports has seen.

“If you claim or intend to claim that the things seized are not liable to forfeiture, you should within one calendar month from the date of this notice, give notice in writing of your claim in accordance with the provisions of section 214 of the Act,” the notice further reads.

The book was authored by a number of 22 academicians and civil society leaders edited by J-Oloka Onyango and Prof. Josephine Ahikire.

It points out how voters of Uganda in 2016 primary and general elections at all levels would accept money and other material things in exchange for votes.

The contributors of the book include; Sabiti Makara, David Mugambe Mpiima, Moses Khisa and Sabastiano Rwengabo.

Others are Salie Samba Kayunga, J. Oloka- Onyango, Veronica Nakijoba, Prof. Josephine Ahikire, Aramanzan Madanda, Jamil Damulira Mujuzi, Levis Mugumya, Sarah N. Ssali, Richard Ssewakiryanga, Danson S Kahyana, Phiona Muhwezi Mpanga, Andrew Karamagi, Maria Nassali, James Nkuubi, Ben K. Twinomugisha, Elisam Magara and Busingye Kabumba.

When contacted for a comment, government spokesperson Ofwono said the issue is customs related and not about the contents of the book.

“Personally, I have not read the book but I think the issue is not about the content. You need to find out from the owners of the book whether they cleared with customs and whether or not the book was published from abroad,” Opondo told ChimpReports on phone.

This is not the first time government is seizing materials containing political information.

In 2010, Uganda government impounded 500 copies of “The Correct Line? Uganda under Museveni”, a book that criticized President Yoweri Museveni’s rule.

The book was authored by Olive Kobusingye, a sister to opposition stalwart Dr. Kizza Besigye.

United Kingdom Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Boris Johnson has Wednesday evening arrived at Entebbe International Airport for talks with Head of State, President Yoweri Museveni.

Boris upon arrival was welcomed by Uganda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sam Kuteesa and is expected to hold a meeting with Museveni at State House.

UK Minister Boris Johnson poses for a photo with Minister Sam Kuteesa upon arrival

ChimpReports understands that Museveni and his guest will discuss the security crisis in South Sudan and the refugee problem affecting the region.

Currently, Uganda is host to over one million refugees, with the vast majority from war-torn South Sudan.

During his recent visit to Uganda, UK’s International Development Minister James Wharton reaffirmed the country’s support for refugees in Uganda as Africa’s largest refugee hosting nation.

The Chinese Community in Uganda has placed a Ushs300 million prize for any information leading to the arrest, prosecution and conviction of the murderer(s) of two Chinese nationals in Kikoni, Kampala.

Ms Ren Ju, 33, and Ms Sang Weng, 34, were stabbed to death on the morning of February 15th 2017 at their place of residence in Kikoni, Makerere, Kampala.

Ms Ren Ju was working with Club 7 restaurant in Kololo as a waitress while Sang-Weng Wa was a waitress at Chinese Business Hotel in Bugolobi.

The murder case was registered under Reference Number CRB91/2017 at Wandegeya Police Station.

While addressing the media on the fateful morning of February 15th, Inspector General of Police, Gen. Kale Kayihura said that Police was holding Fred Ssembatya, a special hire driver to help them in investigations.

Police detectives said that the two were first kidnapped, killed and later dumped into a house in Makerere where their bodies were found.

The special hire driver who was arrested is said to have been hired by an unknown Chinese man from Chez Johnson hotel in Nakulabye to Club 7 Restaurant in Kololo where they picked Ren-Ju and brought him to the said house.

Police hasn’t zeroed down on the real suspects and the murderer(s) is still at large.

The Forum for Democratic Change top leaders on Tuesday held a series of meetings at the party headquarters in Najjanakumbi to iron out challenges polarizing the party cohesion and strength.

The recently concluded East African Legislative Assembly election exposed the high level of disharmony in the country’s biggest opposition party that ended up failing to secure a position for its member.

Yesterday the National Executive Committee, the Youth League and Women’s League convened separate meetings which preceded the meeting of the top party figures.

All the meetings were closed door and no media house was invited.

The President, Mugisha Muntu sat down with the Secretary General, Nandala Mafabi and former Presidential candidate Dr. Kizza Besigye.

According to sources, there is a likelihood of internal revolt in the party if the top leaders continue to bicker.

“The incessant misunderstanding exhibited by our leaders is killing the party. We have to accept that our popularity is dwindling and time for action is fast reaching,” a source who is also a member NEC told this reporter.

The meeting of the three top figures lasted several hours and ended towards midnight.

When contacted on phone, Gen. Muntu confirmed meeting Besigye and Mafabi but said they only discussed how to develop capacity and dislodge the ruling National Resistance Movement party from power.

“We had a meeting yesterday but it was totally a different subject not crisis management as you are predicting. We are looking into the ways of building extra strength to uprooting the current system,” Muntu told our reporter on phone.

When asked about the EALA debacle since the Tuesday’s meeting was the first since FDC was rocked by confusion on candidates to represent the party, Muntu said the mistake had already been handled.

“The EALA election was a small challenge that we handled long time.”

The S.G Mafabi declined to comment on the matter when our reporter met him at his office at Parliament.

“I don’t know about any meeting or what you are trying to talk about,” Mafabi who was visibly uneasy with the subject said.

Efforts to get comments from Dr. Besigye were futile as he didn’t pick our repeated phone calls.

Chinese Special Envoy on African Affairs, Xu Jinghu has said that China attaches great importance to developing ties with Uganda and is ready to strengthen bilateral ties even more.

Ms Xu was Thursday meeting Uganda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sam Kutesa at the Ministry Headquarters in Kampala.

During the meeting, Hon Kutesa said that China and Uganda share a profound traditional friendship, recalling how in recent years, the two countries have been deepening their cooperation in various bilateral areas including in infrastructure development, trade, culture and education.

Ms Xu recalled that cooperation at the highest levels of Government had demonstrated the strong ties between the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Government of Uganda.

Xu Jinghu assured minister Kutesa that China wants to strengthen bilateral ties even more.

Both sides also exchanged views on South Sudan and Somalia as well as other regional and international issues.

Hon Kutesa expressed condolences to the people of China for the loss of Chinese peacekeepers who were serving in the UNMISS in October 2016 and thanked China for the support it has continued to render to the peace efforts in South Sudan.

He told Ms Xu that the famine and drought in South Sudan had reached dire levels and had consequently contributed to the steady influx of refugees into Uganda.

The Minister informed Ms Xu that Uganda had plans to hold a Solidarity Conference in May 2017 to mobilize resources to invest in sustainable infrastructure which would go a long way in supporting refugees and host communities.

The Conference would be co-hosted by the UN Secretary General to the United Nations, Mr Antonio Guterres.

Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) has secured a court victory over attempts to block it from dealing with some Chinese companies.

A one Moses Magezi had lodged an application in the High Court seeking an interim order to stop UNRA’s dealings with various companies implicated in the Parliament’s COSASE report.

On the surface, Magezi’s petition looks innocent.

But a deeper investigation by ChimpReports shows a possible plot to frustrate key infrastructure projects as long as they are not contracted by Dott Services.

Magezi had argued in his petition that on December 21, 2016, the Parliamentary Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) tabled a report part of which contained proceedings of the inquiry into UNRA’s activities for the financial years 2013/2014 and 2014/2015.

The Committee among others recommended that the companies involved in fraudulent acts against the respondent be blacklisted and banned from dealing with Government for five years and that officials who were involved in clearing payments with non-contracted companies be held liable for their action and negligence of duty.

Informed sources said the petition could be partly aimed at blocking Zhongmei Engineering company from operating in Uganda.

Other legal suits have been slapped on UNRA to end its dealings with Zhongmei.

The company has been named best evaluated bidder for Rukungiri-Kihiihi-Ishasha-Kanungu road, angering local rivals including Dott.

By strangling Zhongmei, some agents believe Dott will take over the contract since it was the second best evaluated bidder.

One of the key players in this game is David Kamukama who raised the first court application in January.

After being set aside by court, Kamukama, who is thought to be an agent of Dott, filed an almost similar case in Kabale High Court.

Security has since named Robert Kazoora, who has for long done public relations for Dott as another important player in the game.

He also worked for some time at Uganda Revenue Authority.

Victory

Meanwhile, Kampala High Court this week agreed with UNRA Directorate of Legal Services that Magezi’s application has no merit.

UNRA’s Head Contracts and Claims, Esther Kusiima argued that the COSASE report recommended that the companies be blacklisted but “did not blacklist the companies which are the subject of the Applicant’s application.”

She further submitted that the report “did not in any way direct the Respondent (UNRA) to implement the recommendations of Parliament and the averments of the Applicant are purely speculative.”

Kusiima further submitted the “mandate to blacklist and/suspend entities from participation in public procurement is only vested in the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority.”

She also maintained that UNRA “has no mandate whatsoever to blacklist/suspend companies from participating in public procurement.”

A review of the PPDA’s list of suspended providers as at 7th March, 2017 on https://www.ppda.go.ug/suspended-providers does not indicate that the Chinese companies have been blacklisted.

Legal experts say acting in a manner affecting the rights of all the companies listed in the Application without any directives from PPDA would expose the Authority and the tax payer to unprecedented claims and unwarranted loss.

Court agreed with Kusiima that Magezi’s application is “frivolous, vexatious, devoid of any merit and an abuse of court process.”

Members of the Parliamentary Defense Committee were Thursday split while discussing some of the new proposed amendments in the Anti-Terrorism Bill (2016).

The members were today interfacing with Bank of Uganda’s Deputy Legal Counsel Titus Mulindwa, who came to give explanatory notes and justifications for the amendments.

The Anti-Terrorism Act, 2002 (ATA) was amended in June 2015 and in January 2016. There is now a proposal to amend the Act for the 3^rd time to adequately criminalize the financing of terrorism and terrorist activities.

The confusion began when the Arua Municipality MP, Maj. Ibrahim Abiriga asked for clarity from BoU’s Mulindwa on the definitions of terrorism and what enshrines one to be called a terrorist.

Mulindwa in response quoted the Act, that this is a person who commits an act of terrorism if he/she performs an act with the purpose of intimidating government.

At this time, Col. Felix Kulayigye interjected noting that the Act doesn’t only talk of government but also intimidating the public or a section of the public for a political, religious, social or economic aim indiscriminately without due regard to the safety of others or property.

Other members jumped in including Rubaga South MP, Paul Kato Lubwama who sought clarification on the difference between a rebel and a terrorist since the documents that were presented before the committee listed the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) among terror groups.

Using examples, Kulayigye assayed to give an explanation, emphasizing that he is well suited to help the committee due to his army background.

He was however waved down by members as Hon Abiriga called him to order and accused him of misleading the committee.

“I don’t want to know, because what Kulayigye knows I know; I know what a terrorist is and what a rebel is. His knowledge is political but mine is proof,” Abiriga fumed.

At this time, the Committee Chairperson, Judith Nabakooba decided to suspend the debate to a later date.

President Yoweri Museveni has Thursday received and held a meeting with the South Sudan Minister in the Office of the President, Mr. Mayiik Ayii Deng.

During the meeting that took place at State House Entebbe, Museveni and his guest discussed matters of mutual interest between Uganda and her northern neighbor.

South Sudan, Africa’s youngest country which became independent on July 9^th 2011 after years of struggle against Khartoum Government remains one of Uganda’s biggest export markets.

A big number of Ugandans are currently stationed in the country’s capital Juba and other parts of the country where they have established businesses.

The meeting also comes at the backdrop of the news of the attack on Ugandan businessmen along Juba-Nimule road where two of them were killed by armed men.

The situation in South Sudan remains fragile with armed insurgents wreaking havoc on citizens although peacekeepers including UPDF have tried to keep the situation in control.

President Yoweri Museveni and the British Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Mr. Boris Johnson, have held bilateral and fruitful discussions centering mainly on trade and investment between Britain and Uganda.

“Uganda’s economy is growing much faster and we look at increasing investments in the country,” Mr. Museveni told his guest.

He informed Mr. Johnson that the Government of Uganda, under the NRM Government, has gone a long way in solving many internal challenges in the country adding that what is remaining is to reduce high costs on electricity, transport, finances as well as maintaining and consolidating security.

The meeting took place last evening at State House, Entebbe after which the President and Mr. Johnson held a joint press briefing.

“We have had fruitful discussions. We have held talks pertaining to trade and investment between Uganda and Britain. We have also discussed the prevailing situation in Somalia and talked about the situation in the region,” the President said.

The two leaders discussed issues including Trade, Investment and regional security

President Museveni told the media that the main target of the bilateral meeting centred on ensuring that Somalia gets the capacity to build a national army and stop dependence on outside support.

The British Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Right Hon. Boris Johnson said “I salute President Museveni for promoting peace in the region with particular reference to Somalia. I thank him for the economic growth that he has facilitated in Uganda.”

He expressed his pleasure for having inspected a guard of honour in Somalia on Wednesday morning that was mounted by UPDF, noting that it has played a leading role in AMISOM. He paid tribute to the Uganda Government for its role in the peace process in Somalia.

The Minister of Information and ICT, Frank Tumwebaze has Thursday advised aggrieved members of parliament to seek court redress on the controversial remarks by former political intelligence officer, Charles Rwomushana.

Rwomushana, on Thursday March 9 while appearing on a TV talk show, reportedly referred to female members of Parliament as prostitutes.

Parliament in a bitter mood ordered the Minister on Tuesday to report to the house today with a statement of action that relevant authorities are taking on the matter.

The matter in question was whether or not the language used by Rwomushana contravened any laws governing broadcasting standards in this country and in particular the Minimum Broadcasting Standards.

The regulator Uganda Compunctions Commission has power under the law to receive, investigate and arbitrate complaints relating to communication service and take necessary action.

Tumwebaze revealed that UCC, upon receiving the complaint, commenced investigations and is currently reviewing the content of the Frontline program against the minimum broadcasting standards and other applicable laws.

The final report and actions taken regarding this investigation he said will be shared with him soon and promised to accordingly inform Parliament.

He added however that Section 29 (a) of the Uganda Communications Act 2013 provides that the holder of a license or a producer of a station shall ensure that what is broadcast is not contrary to public morality.

“This means that the Commission can only take action against Broadcasting entities (licenses) and not the Guests they host directly.”

“However, any aggrieved party can seek redress in the courts of law against the utterances made by specific Guest speakers if deemed defamatory or otherwise.”