NRM Youth from Wakiso District led by the area youth Chairperson, Andrew Kiryowa and the youth caucus chairperson, Joseph Sewava Mukasa have expressed reservations over Ministers, several of who have performed below standards for the past one year.

This they noted while launching an evaluation and monitoring task force they dubbed Kisanja Hakuna Muchezo Evaluation Team, which is tasked to monitor the appointed ministers, permanent secretaries and RDCs as they execute their  functions.

“The Ministers are the key drivers of the economy and progress so we can’t sit back and relax when our president is doing almost all the work yet he appointed a team of other players,” Kiryowa said.

Kiryowa said that most of the Ministers are simply fighting each us and constantly travelling in and out of the country beyond their functions adding that the infighting and intrigue among the ministers has caused disharmony and red tape in government.

“We call upon the president to carry out a reshuffle and eliminate all these languid fellows who are failing our Government and Kisanja Hakuna Muchezo,” Kiryowa noted.

The youths want a blanket reshuffle that spares only 6 ministers namely; Janet Museveni, Frank Tumwebaze, Florence Nakiwala, Katumba Wamala, Ruhakana Rugunda and Godfrey Kiwanda Ssubi who they say have expressed interest to serve Ugandans.

“The president should appoint Ministers who are able and loyal not because they fought, related to him or have too much money,” Sewava said.

“We call upon the General Special Advisor, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba to be given the task of monitoring the Ministers since he can’t be corrupted; you find that some Ministers bribed their way to cabinet to an extent that the president doesn’t know them.”

The Justice Catherine Bamugemereire led commission of inquiry into land fraud has quizzed the Mayor and Town Clerk of Wakiso Town Council to explain the allegations that the town council has been involved in mistreatment and unlawful acquisition of land.

The committee which is holding its hearings in Wakiso this week received a complaint from a one Harriet Naziwa, 57 a resident in Wakiso town council who has suffered at the hands of council officials since 2006 when they first threatened to evict her from her land.

Naziwa, a peasant and poultry farmer told the committee that she acquired Block 204 Plot 95 which is 130ft by 70ft in 1998 from a one Musoke Ssalongo and went ahead to secure all the legal documents. She has lived on the property since 2000.

However, after numerous threats from the authorities, her property was razed without her consent. A building she had been constructing was destroyed along with a pig shelter and a banana plantation.

“I bought the land when Wakiso was still under Mpigi district. But shortly after it (Wakiso) attained town council status, the authorities asked me to vacate the land claiming it was government property,” Naziwa said in her testimony.

“I lodged a complaint to the RDC who arranged a meeting between myself and the town council officials but they never showed.”

She revealed that having received no assistance, she proceeded to the Attorney General’s office which office confirmed it had authorized the eviction claiming the previous owner obtained it illegally. According to Naziwa’s account, Farouk Lubega, a State Attorney later revoke the eviction citing the 1998 law (Land Act) which gave bonafide rights to any individual who owned land 12 years prior to the law.

“He (Lubega) gave notice to Wakiso town council regarding the cancelled eviction and advised them to negotiate with me but which they didn’t.”

Despite this notice, the town council went ahead with plans to develop the property by constructing road ways around Naziwa’s house as well as dumping garbage including carcasses of dogs on her property. She had heard from rumors that there were plans to establish a bus terminal on the same property.

Asked by the Assistant Lead Counsel to the probe committee, John Bosco Suuza whether she would accept compensation to let the town developments proceed, Naziwa said; “I’m willing to be compensated because I have withstood too much suffering by these people. I can no longer have privacy on my land because roads cut through my land.”

While she was advised by the State Attorney to take the matter to court, the complainant says she couldn’t afford the expenses.

Upon relentless questioning by the commission, Moses Sempebwa Cox Nsubuga, the Principal Town Clerk of Wakiso admitted that Naziwa was the rightful owner of the property and faulted the previous council authorities for abusing the required procedure for land acquisition.

The commission tasked Nsubuga to explain why there was no file available in Wakiso offices regarding the matter despite the many years that Naziwa has followed it up. Neither him nor the Mayor could not provide answers.

“I have only been in office for 4 months. But i have held several discussions with the complainant and I am ready to ensure that the rightful government procedure for compensation is followed so this matter is solved.”

Commissioner Dr. Rose Nakayi asked Nsubuga why the town council restricted Naziwa from carrying out further developments on her own land before compensation had been made as required by the law. To that, he couldn’t give explanation too.

The town clerk committed to issue a letter to Wakiso town council on Friday morning indicating commencement of the process of compensating Naziwa and documenting all the property belonging to the complainant that has been destroyed.

He was also compelled to ensure that Naziwa is provided quiet possession of her land and no further encroachment is made thereon until compensation is made.

On his part, the Wakiso Mayor Fredson Mukalazi Kasiwukira claimed to have less knowledge on the dispute since he is less of a technical person and more of a policy maker.

“We are not here to waste time. We mean business. We would love you to educate your council on issues of land acquisition and compensation. Should we hear that the town council is grabbing people’s land, we shall come for you,” Justice Catherine Bamugemereire told the Mayor.

President Yoweri Museveni yesterday met a delegation of security officers at State House, Entebbe led by the Inspector General of Police, Gen. Kale Kayihura.

The delegation from the districts of Kampala, Masaka, Lwengo, Mpigi, Wakiso and Lyantonde, comprised Police leadership, Resident District Commissioners, Regional Police Commanders and Deputy Police Commanders, among others.

Security officials meeting Museveni at State House

The President and the officers reviewed the progress of the security situation in the region.

This follows the circulation of anonymous threatening letters that were followed by incidents of murder and robberies. They also laid strategies to find a lasting solution to the incidents.

The British High Commissioner to Uganda, Peter West has Thursday paid a courtesy call to the Uganda Peoples’ Congress (UPC) President, Jimmy Michael Akena at the party headquarters in Kampala.

Chimpreports has learnt that the visit was to among others discuss UPC’s alternative policies for the development of the country and building cooperation with the commission.

The party Assistant Secretary General, Fred Ebil told us the party president shared at length the party’s policies on Education, Health, Agriculture and boosting the country’s economy.

“In our meeting with the High Commissioner, we revealed that the party is in total support of Education for all, Universal Secondary Education (USE) and free education at University level,” Ebil said.

“We also shared our strong belief in the revival of cooperatives and the Cooperative Bank at cheaper loans other than the current commercial loans that are proving to be expensive to the farmers,” Ebil noted.

He added that UPC believes that if the country’s economy is to be boosted, more needs to be invested in agriculture — the country’s back borne.

“The High commissioner was interested in knowing whether we are still getting any funding from the Democratic Governance Facility (DGF); we explained that due to some mismanagement by our predecessors we are cut off the fund.”

“During the Otunnu (Olara) administration a total of Shs 101m was incurred with the DGF; we are currently paying back the bad debt and we have so far paid Shs20m.”

Ebil added that due to poor management by the recent party administrations, the party lost funding from the different development partners including; the Danish Government, Irish Government and DGF.

“We are looking forward to establishing strong cooperation with the different development partners for the good of the party.”

The Parliamentary Budget Committee has Thursday recommended the recovery of Shs47.7bn from five companies which benefited from a tax waiver that was recommended by the Ministry of Finance in the Supplementary Budget of 2015/16.

The committee  vice chairperson who is also the MP for Elgon county Wamakuyu Mudimi told Parliament that  seven companies were granted   a tax waiver of corporation tax worth Shs77.2bn.

The committee recommended that out of Shs77.2bn, Shs47.7bn should be treated as lost public funds and should be recovered from the companies.

The five companies to refund the 47.7 billion shillings include Aya Group of Companies which received got a Shs3.7bn waiver, BIDCO Uganda (Shs5.8bn0, Quality Chemicals which was pardoned Shs 29.8bn, Steel and Industries (Shs1.5bn) and Southern range Nyanza (Shs6.7bn).

The committee noted that the circumstances and procedures followed in granting tax exemption to the five companies were illegal.

“The committee observed that the government in perpetrating tax expenditure policy to support investment in strategic areas, it executed certain documents to exempt some companies from certain tax obligations,” Wamakuyu said.

“The committee scrutinized the documents and noted that the majority did not meet the requirements of the law, particularly Article 119 (5) of the constitution.”

Article 119 (5) provides that no agreement, contract, treaty, convention or document by whatever name called to which government is a party or in respect of which the government has an interest, shall be concluded without legal advice from the Attorney General, except in such cases and subject to such conditions as Parliament may by law prescribed.

The committee only allowed Uganda Electricity Generation company limited (UEGCL) and Uganda Electricity Transmission company Limited (UETCL) enjoy the tax waiver.

Residents of Kibale Village, Nyabuhikye in Ibanda district have been evicted from their land where they had settled for decades.

The eviction follows a court order that allowed local businessman John Karokora to repossess and use this land which had been occupied by squatters for over 30 years. The land belonged to his late grandfather Mzee Karokora.

Jacob Turyasiima, the court bailiff who headed the eviction says the late Mzee Karokora won a court case and acquired the land in 1984 but died shortly afterwards.

Court bailiffs share a jerry can of local beer they found at one of the ill-fated houses

After his death those who were fighting him for the same land continued occupying it, until his now grown up offspring sought to take its full control.

One of them John Karokora started following up on this case and on 25th May, the magistrates court of Ibanda allowed him to evict every family that occupied this land.

During eviction, several banana plantations were slashed down, houses demolished while others were set ablaze.

Evelyn Kamugisha, one of the affected squatters said she was in shock as they were not warned at all about the eviction and now are homeless.

The 200 hectare land covers six hills in Bwahwa parish.

The National Forestry Authority (NFA) in conjunction with Kagadi Police have arrested seven people in illegal lumbering in Kangombe Forest Reserve in Kagadi district

Fredrick Atugonza, the NFA Supervisor Kagadi, said the suspects were arrested on Thursday morning while cutting timber with motorized  saws   deep in the forest reserve.

He identified the arrested as Bosco Auzo 33, Pascal Adriko 34, Fiddy Businge 20, Christopher Babyesiza 25, James Alinda 18, Ronald Akugizibwe 27 and Majidu Balyesima 20 all residents of Kyangwali in Hoima District.

In their defense however, the suspects said, they were hired by one John Turyatemba, a businessman in Kagadi town who is said to be run.

They said they were found near the forest and never knew it is part of the government forest reserve.

Atugonza explained that in the last three months of March, April and May, a total of 101 suspects have been arrested and some prosecuted in courts of law.

He cited most of the most encroached places the forest reserve as Kamukole, Nyamarembo and Bufundi all in Kangombe forest reserve in Kagadi district.

The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has Friday captured a crocodile that is believed to have killed three children in Masindi, Western Uganda.

Park wardens from Murchison falls National Park captured the crocodile from Kayera Village, Kibanja sub-county along River Kafu in Masindi District.

The residents of the area had reported the incidents, requesting the Authority to capture the crocodile following attacks on their homes.

According to UWA officials, a security meeting was held together with the locals in the area sensitizing them on how to respond when crocodiles are sighted in the area.

“Crocodiles don’t normally attack people. It’s the old males which are too weak to hunt that resort into attacking humans,” UWA officials told ChimpReports.

They further advised people to walk in groups when reports about a crocodile are heard in their area.

Upon capture, the crocodile was restrained to the ground by three muscular UWA wardens who sat on its back.

Brave onlookers touched the then restrained man-eater.

The croc was hauled onto a flatbed truck by wardens and a cloth placed over its eyes.

UWA officials said it was relocated to another reserve in the waters of Karuma.

Wardens restrain the croc as they tie it down.

The crocodile on an UWA truck

The Central Bank on Friday warned against the misuse of the country’s legal tender. In a statement issued on the social media in the evening, Bank of Uganda said money should only be used for the medium of exchange.

“It has come to our notice that Uganda shilling notes were thrown into a grave during a recent burial ceremony. The shilling deserves the status of a national symbol,” part of the statement read.

The Ugandan Constitution’s Article 17 places the currency in the league of flag and the court of arms which are to be respected by all citizens.

“It is the duty of every citizen of Uganda to respect the national anthem, flag, coat of arms and currency,” Article 17 (1) (a) of the Constitution says.

BoU appealed to the public to desist from mishandling shilling notes.

“Our national currency should not be handled in a manner that is indecorous. Accordingly, the public is urged to strongly refrain from any act, conduct or use of shilling notes and coins for purposes other than medium of exchange.”

The statement however didn’t mention any penalty against the “rich gang” members who buried their departed colleague, Ivan Ssemwanga with money.

It should be noted that there is no clear legal instruments in the Penal Code Act criminalizing burying the dead with money.

Section 367 of the Penal Code Act only talks about destroying currency notes and coins and the penalty for the offenders is a mere Shs 2,000 fine or six months in prison.

In the United States the definition of commissions against the dollar is broad.

Title 18, Section 333 of the United States Code says whoever mutilates, cuts, disfigures, perforates, unites or cements together, or does any other thing to any bank bill, draft, note, or other evidence of debt issued by any national banking association, Federal Reserve Bank, or Federal Reserve System, with intent to render such item(s) unfit to be reissued, shall be fined not more than $100 or imprisoned not more than six months or both.

Sam Ssali, a 38 year old car dealer in Makindye, was the fourth prosecution witness in the case where Ivan Kamyuka is accused of murdering his colleague Johnny Ahimbisibwe in a night club brawl.

Yesterday, Mr Ssali narrated before the Kampala High Court the events that led to the murder of the youthful Ahimbisibwe on the night of August 2, 2015.

He recalled that he was at Club Guvnor in section known as 40 Plus, having fun and all of a sudden Jonny Ahimbisibwe fell on his back.

“I fell on the ground, and while I got up to pick my phones, I saw Johnny, who was staggering trying to hit back at Kamyuka who stood firm and seemingly ready for a fight. I tried and rescued Johnny and took him to the counter, where I realized that my clothes were covered in his blood,” he said.

In the scuffle, he adds, most people run out of the bar and there remained only Kamyuka (the accused), one lady and another person identified only as Patrick.

Some of the late Johnny’s relatives in court

At this point, the witness says, Kamyuka and the lady entered the toilets, and on noticing this, he leaned against the toilet’s door to prevent them from escaping.

“Inside the toilet, I could feel the two pushing hard to get out. In the meantime I made an alarm which attracted the Club bouncers, who came in and arrested the accused and the lady.”

During cross examination, however, the witness said he never saw anybody physically beating the deceased.

The late Jonny’s younger sister Charity Kyomuhendo in her testimony told the court that there was a misunderstanding between her brother and the suspect, which stemmed from the change of names of Jonny’s child who he fathered in Nina Nyarwaha. At the time, the latter was with Kamyuka.

“Patrick, one of the eyewitnesses told me that the fight started when Johnny was informed that child has been renamed Ivan Ahimbisbwe”

Dr Male Mutumba, the pathologist who examined the deceased’s body said Jonny’s death resulted from excessive bleeding from a wound on his neck.

The senior Principle state Attorney Jane Okuo Kajuga asked for a short adjournment to enable them summon more witnesses.

Justice Wilson Kwesiga adjourned the hearing of the matter to 12^th June.

President Yoweri Museveni has branded as “stupid,” Ugandans that continue buying products from outside the country yet they can be made locally.

“How can someone put on clothes from China, shoes from Italy, drive a car from Japan and use furniture from Dubai, “Museveni wondered during the launch of the presidential initiative of skilling the girl child project at Subway Restaurant in Kampala on Friday.

“It is stupid that a country like Uganda with a number of forests can buy furniture from Dubai, which a desert.”

Museveni said one of the problems that people in African countries have is sleeping and lamenting that there is nothing to do.

Museveni tours a bakery at Wandegeya .

The president time has come for people to wake up because man’s basic needs have since increased from food, clothing and shelter to also include health and transport.

According to the president, in order for one to have all of them, they ought to have something in their pockets.

“When we buy (clothes) from China, it costs money and jobs and the country continues grappling.”

“We are chanced to have raw materials like hides and skins; cotton and horns but we haven’t used them to the maximum,” Museveni added.

Museveni admires craft sandals made by the trainees

He explained that in each kilogram of cotton that the country exports, we earn one dollar yet China earns fifteen dollars from the same amount after adding value on to it.

Uganda earns $3.156 billion from   her exports   whereas $888 million (Shs2.991 trillion) is spent annually on textile imports only.

Museveni argued that on all occasions we buy more expensively clothes from China yet they are got from the cotton we exported to them at a low price.

“They earn a lot of money plus a number of jobs created from the cotton we sell them. We can also do the same.”

He said it was high time government started empowering girls so as they can get skills to start their own jobs and also employ others.

Some of the hair dressing students.

According to the State House Comptroller, Lucy Nakyobe, over 700 girls from all divisions of Kampala are undergoing a 6 month training in tailoring, shoe making, bakery and hair dressing among other skills.

“After the six months, these will be released for another group to come and also get skills,”Nakyobe added.

According to Moses Sande, one of the administrators at the training facility in Wandegeya, the girls were got through announcements and local leaders.

“We targeted girls above the age of 16 and most importantly those from unprivileged backgrounds, school dropouts and teenage mothers “Sande told this website.

President Museveni said after the 6 months skills training, he will be buying equipment as well as some capital for the girls to start their own businesses where they can also employ others.

He added that the program will spread to other parts of the country.

Christians have been challenged to refrain from harboring sectarianism and fighting for material wealth and rather uphold the legacy that the martyrs of faith embodied while they faced persecution.

The appeal was made in a sermon delivered by the Rt. Rev. Nathan Gasatura, Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Butare in Rwanda who was guest preacher during Saturday’s celebrations of Martyrs’ Day in Namugongo.

Hundreds of believers of the Anglican faith gathered at the Nakiyanja martyrs’ shrine where ashes of 25 youthful Christians were buried after they were burnt alive by Kabaka Mwanga of Buganda in 1886.

Thirteen of these were Anglicans while 12 were Catholics who defied the King’s directive to denounce Christianity.

Saturday’s celebrations which were characterized by prayer, worship and praise were a climax of days of pilgrimage from all parts of the country as well as intercession for individual needs.

Over 2 million people are estimated to have attended this year’s Martyrs Day in Namugongo.

Christians who responded to an altar call to renew their salvation

“The heroic lives of the Uganda martyrs formed a bedrock for Christianity in Uganda and East Africa. While 95% of these martyrs were Baganda, we should desist from looking at this day from a tribalistic view point,” Bishop Gasatura told faithfuls who braved the scorching sun to the end.

“If you are the kind that still holds tribalistic sentiments in you and yet you think of yourself as a Christian, I urge you to repent,” he told the congregation.

He said that Ugandans should be united by the blood of the martyred believers as a nation of God, further casting criticism on Christians who he said have done little to stop the rampant corruption and land wrangles in the country.

“The heroes of faith disregarded their lives by standing their ground to challenge the Kabaka without fear. The blood they shed should ignite faith, forgiveness and unity among you.”

The gruesome persecution, he said, inspired the East African Revival which later ministered the gospel of Jesus to Rwanda and DR Congo through the likes of Sharita, Nsibambi, Kigozi, Nagenda and Erica Sabiti.

Archbishop Stanley Ntagali (L) and Bishop of Namirembe Diocese Wilberforce Kityo Luwalira (R) welcome Vice President Edward Kiwanuka Sekandi (C) who represented government

Earlier, Bishop of Namirembe Diocese, Rt. Rev. Wilberforce Kityo Luwalira implored pilgrims to stand up for Christ inspite of the suffering if they are to realize their Christian value.

This year, over 1,000 pilgrims (Anglicans) walked on foot to Namugongo from the 25 different dioceses of the Province of Church of Uganda. The furthest pilgrimage being from Muhabura and Kigezi dioceses which make a distance of over 400 kilometers.

Hundreds of pilgrims sit through Saturday’s celebrations

President Yoweri Museveni used Martyrs Day to rally Christians to fulfill their God given responsibility of looking after the natural environment especially in the wake of the climate change. It’s these changes, he said, that have caused long drought spells resulting into food shortages.

In the message delivered by Vice President Edward Kiwanuka Sekandi, Museveni said; “We need to encourage farmers that are capable to augment government efforts in irrigation. By doing so, we will have fulfilled God’s mandate.”

Students braved the scorching sun

Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, His Grace, Stanley Ntagali noted that it is important that other historical sites where religious leaders like Bishop Hannington were killed to be developed.

Multitudes of Christians on Saturday attended the annual Martyrs Day celebrations in Namugongo where 25 Christians were killed and buried at the orders of Kabaka Mwanga of Buganda on June 3, 1886.

The day has since become the most anticipated event on the Ugandan calendar which attracts millions of pilgrims from Uganda and beyond.

At the Nakiyanja Anglican shrine, prayers were led by the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda Stanley Ntagali and also attended by Bishop Nathan Gasatura from the Rwandan Diocese of Butare and Vice President Edward Kiwanuka Sekandi.

As prayers proceeded, some of the pilgrims could be seen queueing up at the well to collect water to carry back home.

This is a significant aspect of the pilgrimage since it is believed that Mukajanga (who executed martyrs) and his aides descended to the well to wash their killing tools and cleanse their bodies.

Some of the Christians intercede for Princess Nalumansi Catherine Kalala in the museum at the Anglican shrine.

In the same way, Christians believe that this water possesses healing power.

“I don’t take this water for granted. Sometimes ourselves or the people we are close to fall sick. With faith and prayer, i know that this water will heal them,” Harriet Namono a resident of Kibuli told ChimpReports in an interview. She said she makes the pilgrimage every year.

“It is important for me to come here because these people (Martyrs) exhibited extreme courage and devotional to die for their faith. Not everyone would withstand being butchered or burnt to death,” she added.

Namono told us she was interceding for the education of her young kids and God’s provision.

ChimpReports caught up with other pilgrims to understand what inspired them to journey to Namugongo and why the Martyrs Day is significant to them.

People queue up to collect water at the well where tools used to kill the martyrs were washed from

Samson Kawuki, 70 told us this year was his second pilgrimage whose purpose was to celebrate the Uganda martyrs.

Asked about his prayer requests, Kawuki said; “I came to particularly pray for my country. As you know, Uganda has witnessed a long drought and I also pray for peace.”

In the small church where the ashes of the 25 martyrs (Anglicans and Catholics) were buried after being burnt, pilgrims knelt and prayed silently while others sat meditating.

It is said that Tofero Kisosonkole who was a Prime Minister in the reign of the young Kabaka, Daudi Chwa collected the ashes and buried them. A church was then set up on the burial grounds in 1935 to protect this site of historic significance.

The newly constructed museum that shelters the church was equally busy with activity as Christians observed the statues that depict events as they transpired.

Dison Kalanzi, a student of Mengo S.S wants young people to emulate the martyrs to have ideals they stand for.

Dison Kalanzi, an S.6 student of Mengo S.S says that by choosing to die for their God,  the martyrs set an outstanding example for Ugandans. This was his seventh pilgrimage. He particularly celebrates Gonzaga and Balikudembe who faced the most brutal death by amputation.

“For me, i have learnt through what the martyrs went through that material things are not the most important thing. And I think that the love of money is the reason people choose to steal public funds,” he told ChimpReports.

Today, he prayed for a Uganda that is transformed and stable, where people are not tortured. He challenges the youths to have ideals they stand for the same way martyrs stood for their faith.

President Yoweri Museveni has said that once revived, the Uganda Airlines will succeed mainly because of the direct travel opportunities that it will offer its Ugandans in the diaspora, business community, tourists and the vast domestic travel opportunities.

The President was today speaking during a meeting with Monsieur Patrice Bauebo, a representative of Airbus group at State House Entebbe. Airbus Group is a Global Leader in aeronautics, space and related services that unite the capabilities of Airbus and Airbus Defense.

Airbus offers the most comprehensive range of passenger airliners from 100 to more than 600 seats. It is European leader based in Netherlands providing tanker, combat, transport and mission aircrafts as well as Europe’s’ number one space enterprise and worlds second largest space business.

Uganda is looking to revive the defunct Uganda Airlines. Earlier this year, cabinet passed a resolution to revive the airline to boost the country’s air transport system and boost its trade and development prospects in the region.

“I am convinced that Uganda airline will succeed mainly because of six factors: Ugandans in the diaspora, the Indian community, businessmen, tourists, regional traffic and internal travel,” he said.
President Museveni explained that the Ugandans in the diaspora especially in South Africa, Canada and United State of America and Indians who were expelled from Uganda by Idi Amin in the United Kingdom are inconvenienced by other airlines that must pass through their Capitals but once Uganda Airlines is revived they will benefit from direct travel.

“Uganda has a captive travelling population. Many people want a flying schedule that suits them and yet most of the airlines look at nationalism and must first pass through their countries of origin,” he said.

He said that once the airline is revived and Ugandan tourist sites will be well marketed to the world in a way that no country would compete with Uganda.

“In terms of tourism, no country can compete with Uganda if we have an airline and promote our nice weather, wildlife and the other tourist attractions,” he said.

President Museveni also said that Uganda airline will survive once revived because there are many industries developing in the country that will use the airline to export their products.
He said this would increase the number of exports and reduce of imports thus earning Uganda foreign revenue.
President Museveni added that regional travel and internal travel would also ensure that the airline survives.

“Although Uganda is not big geographically, the road network is improving, there is a need among Ugandans to spend less time travelling,” he said.

He also explained that there are many Ugandans traveling and exporting cargo to Bunya in Democratic Republic of Congo, Juba in South Sudan, Nairobi, Dar es Salaam and Lagos in Nigeria and the airline would make their travel and business faster and more direct.
Mr. Patrice commended President Museveni on the move to ensure that the airline will have internal or in country flights.
“What makes the success of an airline market is the feeder market. You need nationals flying within Uganda and not only abroad,” he said.
Mr. Patrice also urged government to develop Soroti Aviation School saying that it was greatly linked to the airport industry through training of pilots, engineers and other aviation related jobs.
The meeting was attended by Ugandan Ambassador to France, H.E Nimisha Madhvani, Minister of Works and Transport Azuba Ntege and other government officials.

The 71st President of the UN General Assembly, Mr Peter Thomson has appointed Uganda’s Permanent Representative, to the UN in New York, Amb Adonia Ayebare, President of the High-Level Committee on South-South Cooperation.

Ayebare’s appoiontment was made Pursuant to paragraph 30 of General Assembly resolution 71/1244 on South-South Cooperation, adopted by the Assembly on 21 December 2016.

In execution of his work, Amb Ayebare will be supported by the bureau of the High-Level Committee, to lead the intergovernmental consultations and negotiations with a view to the adoption, by the Assembly, of a resolution on the nature, date, objectives and modalities of the High-Level United Nations Conference on South- South Cooperation.

In a letter to all Permanent representatives, Mr Thomson thanked Ambassador Ayebare and, through him, the bureau of the High-Level Committee on South-South Cooperation, for accepting this very important responsibility. He asked all the Permanent Representatives to extend their full support and cooperation to him.  “Given the short time available and the work-pressure on delegations at this time of the year, I urge all delegations to work towards reaching agreement in the most efficient manner possible” he said.

Speaking from the Uganda Mission in New York, Amb Ayebare thanked the PGA for the faith he had placed in him and by extension in Uganda. “South South cooperation has never been more relevant than today, especially in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. I will also promote triangular cooperation with the developed North,” he said.

In 1974, the United Nations General Assembly, endorsed the establishment of a special unit within the United Nations Development Programme to promote technical co-operation among developing countries.

President Yoweri Museveni has handed over eight modern agriculture tractors to three constituents, two kingdoms, two farmers and a peace initiative group in fulfillment of pledges he made two years ago during the Operation wealth creation campaign.

The President also donated four vehicles to three individuals and a women’s SACCO.

“I hope you will use the tractors to promote modern agro production. Sensitize our people against fragmenting their land and in this way, they will ensure more production and better incomes,” he said.

According to the State House Comptroller Ms. Lucy Nakyobe Mbonye, the some of the tractors were procured last year but could not be given away because it was election year.

Museveni hands over cars to Seveth Day Adventist Church in Busoga

The beneficiaries included the Kyabazinga of Busoga, Isingiro County South Constituency represented by Hon. Alex Byarugaba Bakunda, Usuk County, Katakwi represented by Hon. Peter Ogwang, Bukedea District represented by Woman MP Anita Among of FDC, a prominent farmer in Kasese, Kasenda, Abdul Mangati, the Royal Kingdom of Alur, the Family of the late Oboth-Ofumbi in Tororo and the Alinga Obongi Peace Initiative.

The vehicles were donated to the Bishop of the Seveth Day Adventist Church in Busoga (Virgo Pick Up Hilux UBA 773M), The widow of the late Prince Ssimbwa, Mary Ssimbwa (Prado TX UBA419P), The widow of the late Kibazo ((Prado TX UBA 513O), and the Busoga Women Adventist Church SACCO (Mini Bus (Hiace Taxi UBA 960M).

The ceremony took place at State House, Entebbe.

The National Treasurer of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), Hon Rose Namayanja Nsereko has called upon the people of Kyadondo East Constituency to choose a leader who will lobby for services directly from the government to benefit them.

She made the call on Sunday as she joined hundreds of Christians to commemorate the Pentecost day at ‘Our Lady Gate of Heaven’ Catholic Church, Lutete Sub Parish in Gayaza Parish.

“The current situation does not call for electing a new government because there is one [NRM] already, but to choose an MP who suits in the existing government ready to interface with it to cause development in Kyadondo East and beyond,” Namayanja said.

The NRM Party Treasurer rallied the people to vote the NRM flag bearer Sitenda Ssebalu on June 29 “because of his good working relationship with the Central Government.”

“God has granted us a second chance to elect a leader who will be able to liaise well with the Central Government. I appeal to you to vote Sebbalu since he is the only candidate in the race that can cause development in the area,” she pleaded.

Namayanja was also quick to caution the congregation against merging developmental issues with religion or politics, a vice she said, had caused many areas to lag behind in terms of development.

She instead urged them to join hands and work together on issues of national interest irrespective of their political or religious affiliations.

“The NRM government has always discouraged divisions based on tribe, religion or race. When a child is being admitted to a school, you are not asked for a party card and neither are you asked for one when being admitted in a hospital,” she reasoned.

As a resident, Namayanja donated Shs5 million towards the construction of Our Lady Gate of Heaven Lutete Sub-Parish Primary School and pledged to continue working with them on developmental issues.

She contributed another Shs1 million towards Lutembe Catholic Youth Guild before pledging to invite the NRM Secretary General Rt. Hon Justine Kasule Lumumba to pay them a courtesy visit.

The main celebrant Rev Fr Philip Ngendo from Bukalasa Seminary, urged the congregation to use the examples set by the Uganda martyrs to always love their religion and serve the country wholeheartedly.

He commended Namayanja for her generosity despite being a non-Catholic Church member.

Founded in 1971, Luteete is one of the 7 Sub-Parishes that constitute Gayaza Parish.

Rwenzururu King, Omusinga Charles Wesley Mumbere has Sunday evening restructured and made new appointments in the Kingdom’s cabinet in a bid to revitalize the Operations of the institution.

Business in Rwenzururu Kingdom has been on a standstill since the November 2016 bloody clashes between security forces and Kingdom Royal guards (Kirumira Mutima) that left hundreds dead.

The clashes also led to the arrest of Omusinga Mumbere, his Prime Minister Johnson Thembo Kitsumbire and a number of Kingdom officials, all of whom were charged with among others, treason, terrorism, murder and aggravated robbery.

Mumbere and his Prime Minister would later be released on bail although denied a chance to step foot in Rwenzori region. Their movements are only restricted to the districts of Kampala, Wakiso and Jinja.

According to a statement which ChimpReports has seen, Mumbere has appointed a four-member Prime Ministerial Commission to run the office of the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister is the administrative head of a cultural institution.

Among the members on the commission is Rt. Hon. Mbayahi Gad, the Commission Chairman, Rt. Hon. Edwin Kugonza, the Commission Vice Chairman, Rt. Hon. Baluku Stanley Kanzenze, the Commission secretary and Rt. Hon. Misairi Mukwenda, a Commission member.

Mumbere also made transfers and appointed a team of 11 Ministers and two deputy Ministers from the previously very big cabinet who will run the Kingdom alongside the House of Representatives.

An 8-member Privy Council Team was also appointed and according to the statement, will work alongside the mandatory Royal family members who are automatically on this committee.

The statement further asserts that; “the OBR Thuhimbe Development Board which was commissioned on 19th October 2016 will continue its operations and will be reporting to the Prime Ministerial commission.”

FULL LIST OF APPOINTMENTS

Prime Ministerial Commission

Rt. Hon. Mbayahi Gad – Commission Chairman

Rt. Hon. Edwin Kugonza – Commission Vice Chairman

Rt. Hon. Baluku Stanley Kanzenze – Commission secretary

Rt. Hon. Misairi Mukwenda – Commission member

Ministers

Hon. Alfred K Makasi -Minister for Justice, Constitutional Affairs & Attorney General of OBR

Hon. Clarence Bwambale Mumbahya – Minister of Information, Public Relations & Spokesperson

Hon. Milton Kalyata – Minister of Finance, Planning & Economic Development

Hon. Sarah Ithungu Baleke – Deputy Minister of Finance, Planning & Economic Development

Hon. Yokasi Bihandi Bwambale – Minister for Land and Production

Hon. Florence Kabugho – Minister for Royal Protocol & Palace Affairs

Hon. Amos Mugisa – Minister for Security and Royal Transport.

Hon. Moses Kibalirwandi – Minister for Education & Sports

Hon. Eri Nyakango – Minister for Culture, Tourism & Native Administration

Hon. Lucy Biira Kabanyoro – Minister for Gender, Youth & Community Development.

Hon. Naume Mbambu – Deputy Minister of Gender, Youth & Community Development

Hon. Eng. Wilfred Matsande – Minister of Works & Construction.

Hon. Mathina Bwambale – Minister of Regional Affairs & External Relations.

House of Representatives

Rt. Hon Enock Muhindo – Speaker

Dr. John Baluku – Deputy Speaker

Mr. Joram Kisembo – Clerk

Privy Council Team

Rt. Hon. Costa Bwambale

Dr. Walemba Nathaniel Mumbere

Dr.  Maate Rogers

Dr. Arthur Syahuka Muhindo

Rt. Hon. Loice Biira Bwambale

Rt. Hon. Yeremia Mutooro

Hon. Aprunali Kithende Kalibogha

Hon.  Yohosephat Kuule School Band

The police spokesperson AIGP Asan Kasingye has dismissed reports that the Interpol branch from South Africa wrote to Uganda to have late Ivan Semwanga’s body exhumed.

Certain sections of the media carried reports that Interpol, Pretoria had written to their counterparts in Kampala to have the late Rich Gang boss’ body exhumed over issues related to faking death.

Speaking to journalists on Monday, Kasingye said there has never been any request from South Africa in relation to the matter.

“We have not been requested to have the body exhumed,” Kasingye said.

“Even if there was something like that, it’s the Interpol headquarters in Lyon, France to write to us not Interpol Pretoria.”

The police mouthpiece said that such a case, all communication and request go through the body’s headquarters in France to the respective country but not between countries directly.

Semwanga died two weeks ago of stroke in Pretoria and was buried on Tuesday in Kayunga.

His death and burial raised debate among members of the public especially on social media that the Rich Gang boss had faked his death.

However according to Kasingye, there wouldn’t be any need of the police in South Africa to write to Uganda to have the deceased’ s body exhumed yet he had  died in the same country.

“They are the ones who sent the body to Uganda .There’s no way they can send a request to have the body exhumed over something that could have been confirmed in South Africa,” Kasingye added.

Uganda Police is warning members of the public to be extra vigilant in the wake of a second terror attack in England on the weekend.

Addressing journalists on Monday, the police spokesperson Asan Kasingye revealed that 2 suspected Somalia nationals were arrested at the Busia border point trying to cross into Uganda

“On May 26th, Faraus Muhammad, 15, and Aways Musa were intercepted as they tried to enter Uganda,” Kasingye said.

“We became suspicious after these suspects had indicated in their passports that they were travelling to Kenya from Somalia but on reaching Nairobi, they jumped onto buses to Uganda.”

The police mouthpiece explained that the suspects were found in possession of multiple passports, raising suspicion about their motives.

He warned managers of events and public places to work closely with police to ensure they secure the places.

“All unclaimed items in busy places such as markets, churches and hospitals should be reported,” Kasingye advised.

Two weeks ago, a terrorist detonated an explosive and killed over 20 people who were at a music concert at the Manchester Arena in England.

9 days later, on Saturday, suspected terrorists driving a van and wielding knives once again hit the English capital London, killing seven people and injuring 21.

In 2010, terrorists hit Uganda killing over 70 people who were watching World Cup finals at Lugogo and Ethiopian Restaurant in Kabalagala.

Somali based Al Shabaab insurgents claimed responsibility of the attack as punishment to Uganda for sending troops through the AMISOM to Mogadishu.