The Inspector General of Police, Gen.Kale Kayihura is set to address the media on the increased spate of killings especially in Wakiso district.

Over 15 people, mostly women have been killed in the past 2 months in Wakiso areas of Entebbe and Nansana.

Last Thursday, residents of Kivundira village in Katabi town council in Wakiso district stumbled on the body of one of their colleagues; 25 year old Aisha Nakasinde who had been missing.

It was discovered dumped in a bush, a few meters from Kasenyi barracks becoming.

Today, Monday, Gen. Kayihura will try to dissect the killings and answer queries about the deaths that have left residents worried about the security situation in the area.

The Kampala Metropolitan police spokesperson Emilian Kayima recently said the spate of killings points to an organized group of killers.

Members of Parliament have appreciated success being registered in the Social Assistance Grant for Empowerment (SAGE) programme in Kyankwanzi district.

MPs on Social Protection Forum, Gender Committee and officials from the ministry of Gender who are implementing programme in which government provides a monthly stipend of Shs 25,000 to the poor elderly aged 65 and above, visited the district on Friday last week.

Mzee Ladu Christopher standing with MPs, shifted from the collapsing grass thatched house to the newly built iron sheet house.

The Deputy Chief Administrative Officer of Kyankwanzi, Deo Kasumba told MPs that since the introduction of SAGE in his district in February 2012, a total of 6,024 older persons have been enrolled with the majority being women at 3,207 and 2,817 men.

“For the last 15 years we have had many of these old people building relatively decent iron sheet houses for themselves, establishing shops and many other activities out of savings made from the Shs 50,000 given bimonthly,” Mr. Kasumba said.

The officials from Kampala visited an 80 year old man who has put a small shop out of savings from the SAGE programme.

Mzee Yosam Nehikama explaining how he started his shop with SAGE money.

MPs also visited another old man who constructed 2 room ordinary house using the savings from SAGE programme.

The government with mainly support from the UK Department for International Development (DFID) has disbursed Shs 7bn in Kyankwanzi district.

The Deputy CAO stressed that the programme has resulted to increased uptake of health services, education and improved food security in beneficiary households.

The Chairperson of Social Protection Committee in Parliament, Jacob Opolot (Pallisa county) and Gender Committee Chairperson Alex Ndezi now want government to roll out the programme to all the 116 districts.

The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda has joined political and church leaders that are opposed to the amendment Article 26, warning members of parliament to be careful with land issues.

Bishop Ntagali yesterday opposed the land amendment bill and accused legislators of failure to fight against greedy land grabbers across the country.

The bishop questioned why MPs have been silent on rich people grabbing people’s land and selling government land, only to focus on the land that belongs to locals.

Ntagali believes that the land amendment will put strain on the poor while favoring the rich.

The archbishop was delivering a sermon at St. Peters Cathedral Rugarama in Kabale, as the Kigezi Diocese celebrated its golden jubilee.

Under the current provision in Article 26 of the Constitution, provides for the right of persons to own property and how it can be acquired by government.

However, the proposed amendment gives government powers for compulsory acquisition of land if the owner rejects the valuation, which would allow the project to precede pending resolution of the dispute in court.

In his response however, the Prime Minister Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, who represented President Museveni, insisted that article 26 needs to be amended because the government has been facing setbacks while implementing infrastructure projects where owners of land demand for too much compensation.

A bitter misunderstanding between United Nations and the government of South Sudan over control of the Juba International Airport, is threatening further deployment of peacekeeping forces in the war wrecked northern neighbor.

The Sudanese army has since intensified deployment at the country’s main airport in the capital Juba, and grounded all UN aircraft there.

South Sudanese are protesting what they interpreted as UN’s intention to take full control of the airport.

Up to 4,000 peacekeepers assigned to the African country, moved to the airport and tried to take control of it according to President Salva Kiir’s spokesman Ateny Wek Ateny. He said that was not part of the troupes’ mandate.

“They cannot come here to control our airport. It is our airport and if they wanted to cooperate with us, they must refrain from (deploying in) places they are not authorized,” he said.

The U.N. Security Council agreed in August last year to deploy the regional protection force of 4,000 extra peacekeepers, mostly from Rwanda and Ethiopia, after renewed heavy fighting broke out between troops loyal to Kiir and those backing former Vice President Riek Machar.

The force was to supplement a 12,000-strong U.N. force already on the ground, but South Sudan has been reluctant to accept it, saying it has reservations over the nationalities of the troops and the armaments they can carry.

A small batch started trickling in three months ago, but diplomats said the latest dispute could bring further delays.

Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) incumbent Presidential contender Gen. Mugisha Muntu has accused the leaders of the so-called defiance campaign for locking out other people out including himself; which partly led to its failure.

Muntu made the accusation during a joint press conference of all presidential candidates where he used the opportunity to clarify on allegations that he is against the defiance campaign which was launched by 2016 party presidential candidate, Dr. Kiiza Besigye.

Muntu said that despite having worked closely with the said defiance team within the party, he was sidelined to the extent that he has been labeled an opponent of the group’s activities.

Muntu started by explained his role in the campaign, “When we were cheated in 2016, we sat here and agreed on the actions to take and one was to call for a stay home campaign; we sent out a call all over the country for people not to go to work but rather stay at home. Unfortunately it didn’t happen.”

He said that after the people defied the party, the leaders sat and agreed to hold nationwide demonstrations which were supposed to begin on May 5 2016.

“In Kampala the campaign was supposed to start from the headquarters and at 8am, I was here, I didn’t see some of the people that are always casting accusations; the only person I only told not to come here was Ingrid Turinawe because she was the one coordinating the demonstration and if she got arrested, the nationwide operation would be paralyzed.”

Muntu said that in 2006 he engaged in many street demonstrations as well as in 2011 where he actively participated in Walk to Work until a resolution was taken for some members of the party to concentrate on party development while others would continue with civil disobedience.

He added that he chaired all meetings that cleared and offered back-up to the different defiance activities including giving financial support for the same.

“The question I have for those who say that Muntu is not for defiance is that if I, who has supported the cause to such an extent can be locked out what about people who don’t have a name?” charged Gen Muntu.

“We must be careful; we want to take power, power can make us drunk, it can cause us to have that feeling of entitlement like those who have weapons.”

He added, “My appeal to the colleagues who want to use defiance as an identity; please don’t try to personalize it. We are all Ugandans and anybody can participate in what they want to participate in. When we take power, let those who basically seem to be locking everybody out not become like those who hold weapons because it is a dangerous path to walk.”

Muntu noted that the situation currently is as if one needs to first write an application to either be allowed entry into defiance or not.

“Even after I have done all the things I have done, you can still hear voices that Muntu is not for defiance…For anybody to try assuming the role of appointing who can be and who can’t be, that is arrogance and I have fought arrogance all my life; nobody can take that position to choose who should involve in civil disobedience and who should not.”

The Inspector General of Police Gen.Kale Kayihura on Monday shared findings of preliminary investigations into the recent spate of murders in the Nansana area, which pointed to a local businessman.

In the past 3 months 17 women have been killed in Nansana and Entebbe areas of Wakiso district.

Speaking to locals at Royal Gardens in Nansana on Monday afternoon, Gen. Kayihura said one of the suspects arrested has confessed to have been hired to commit the murders.

“He personally told me he had killed 8 women after being contracted by one Tumuhimbise, a local businessman for ritual sacrifices,” Kayihura said.

The police boss said of the 17 women killed, 11 were sex workers and one a school girl whereas others were killed by jilted lovers.

Entebbe Murders

The IGP also said that there is strong evidence that the murders are Nansana are related to those in Entebbe.

On Thursday, 25 year old Aisha Nakasinde a resident of Kivundira village in Katabi town council in Wakiso district became the 7th person to be killed in a similar manner in Entebbe after being raped by unknown assailants. Nakasinde who had been missing was discovered dumped in a bush, a few meters from Kasenyi barracks becoming.

Gen. Kayihura said police is still verifying the information they have to link the murders in both areas.

“We are still trying to look for any other motives behind the killings but it seems there is a connection.”

Media

The police boss in the meantime, attacked the media for portraying the current situation as being out of hand.

Kayihura urged journalists to be patriotic and work with police to fight the crimes other than bashing them.

“Why don’t you reinforce the police instead of weakening them,”Gen. Kayihura wondered.

“This is not a joke. Don’t scare people because it will not help the situation. “

On the issue of a curfew, the police boss said this method has not shown any tangible goods wherever it has been applied.

“He however, tipped women to get training in fitness and self-defense skills.

Locals Blame Police

Residents however pinned some police officers for always working with criminals.

“When we report them (criminals) to police, by the time we reach home, they (criminals) have already known of it and harm us,” said one of the residents.

The locals also blamed police for always releasing suspected criminals after being arrested.

Security has been beefed up in Rukiga district ahead of the Tuesday National Resistance Movement primary elections for the District Woman MP, LC5 chairperson and councilors.

ACP Paul Nkore, the Kigezi Regional Police Commander says scores of officers have been deployed in all the four sub counties of Rwamucucu, Kashambya, Kamwezi, and Bukinda as well as Muhanga town council to avert any possible violence in the Tuesday polls.

Dr Tanga Odoi, the NRM chairman of the party electoral commission had earlier warned of masqueraders coming from neighboring Kabale and Rubanda districts to disrupt the exercise.

Odoi also warned all the MPs from the region to keep off the elections, and wait for the flag bearers to be named.

Prime Minister Dr. Ruhakana Livingstone Rugunda urged voters in the district to maintain peace and refrain from violent acts. He also urged that whoever wins or loses should accept the outcomes to maintain peace in the district.

Six   candidates are vying for the Woman Member of Parliament seat, namely Abigail Victoria Atukunda, Alice Basobokwe, Caroline Kamusiime Muhwezi, Charity Tumubweine, Pamela Kyomugisha Kihumuro and Maureen Kyarisima; while Jackson Asiimwe Rwamwehare, Dr. Alexander Kampikaho and Denis Willey Nkwasibwe want the district chairperson seat on NRM ticket.

Sheikh Yunus Kamoga’s lawyers yesterday asked court to give him a lenient sentence on grounds that he and other convicts have never been convicted before of any criminal offence.

Kamoga and 5 others were yesterday evening found guilty by High Court’s International Crimes Division Court, of Terrorism.

The lawyers led by Fred Muwema, in their submission pointed out that their clients were convicted only on circumstantial evidence yet on the other hand, they were acquitted of serious offences like murder and attempted murder after the prosecution failed to produce in court direct evidence pinning them on the acts.

“We pray for a lenient sentence for the convicts, if possible a caution because these have spent more than 2 years on remand, and during that period their businesses as well as the people they look after have been greatly affected,” submitted Muwema

Muwema added that the offences upon which the six were convicted were not serious as alleged, considering that many people were mentioned as victims but only a handful turned up to testify in court.

Principle senior state Attorney Rachael Bikhole on the other hand, asked the judges to grant the convicts the maximum death sentence, saying that their crimes led to the death of innocents.

She added that the convicts misused their role as leaders to unite fellow Muslims.

The three court judges are expected today at 22nd August at 2.30pm to deliver the sentences to the convicts.

The court, acquitted all the accused persons from the counts of murdering both Sheikh Hassan Kirya and Sheikh Mustapha Bahiga after all prosecution witnesses failed to place any of them at the scenes of crime.

On the terrorism count 8 people were acquitted whereas 6 including Sheikh Yunus Kamoga were convicted after the prosecution proved almost all grounds required by law

FDC’s incumbent presidential candidate, Gen. Gregory Mugisha Muntu has questioned why he is being attacked by party members for doing the exact things that his predecessor Dr Kizza Besigye did.

Muntu yesterday wondered why some FDC leaders continued to accuse him of appointing the Leader of Opposition in Parliament (LOP) yet Dr. Besigye did the same twice.

Muntu told the gathering at the party headquarters in Najjanankumbi that his appointing of the LOP wasn’t unprecedented yet it suddenly became an issue during his leadership.

In 2006, Muntu recalled, the party believed it was cheated in the presidential elections and decided to go to Court, but later decided partake in Parliament and appoint the LOP in the names of Prof. Ogenga Latigo.

“In 2011, again…we agreed upon Hon. Nandala Mafabi as the LOP,” Muntu said.

Muntu noted that in 2016 the same thing happened, they grudgingly lost the general elections but still NEC sat and decided to form parliamentary leadership.

 “The question I have for colleagues is; why do you think that 2016 was different? Is it because I am the party president? Is it because I am being targeted as an individual? I didn’t take an individual decision; we took the same decision three times as organs of the party.”

Muntu said he respects party organs and would never go against a decision taken by the party organs. This he said has been the reason he always conceded defeat and rallied behind the winner.

In response however, former Kumi County Member of Parliament, Patrick Amuriat an advocate of the defiance campaign,  said that the 2016 election was unique from other elections, because FDC  took a deliberate decision to form the Peoples’ Government which is completely different from how they reacted before.

“What we would have expected from the leadership in the party was to own their own resolution of the National Executive Committee (NEC) and be part of this government and not do such things that would bring contradictions.”

He observed that the worst contradiction was for the party to claim that it had won the elections and then the party leadership did something different by appointing the Shadow Cabinet.

Kigezi High School Students Old Students Association have kicked off a Shs 500 million campaign to rehabilitate the school structures currently in a sorry state.

The old students plan to renovate the school’s Warren House first before moving on to hygiene areas, classes, laboratories, teacher’s houses and students’ dormitories and also beatify the school.

The campaign was launched on Monday by the association Chairperson Alfred Kabuchu.

Kabuchu said that their target is to return the school to its former glory days and improve its academic standards. Their Vision, they said, is for the school to be in the country’s top ten by the year 2022, when it marks 100 years of existence.

One of Kigezi High School Dormitories

Steven Mugume, the school head teacher while speaking in the same meeting said that if the structures are renovated, they will provide a better learning environment for students and this will improve on the academic performance.

The school was founded by the Church Missionary Society, in 1922 and since then, it has produced important people such as Emmanuel Tumusiime-Mutebile, the   Governor of the Bank of Uganda, Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, the Current Prime Minister of Uganda, Rtd. Col. Dr.  Kiiza Besigye, the Former President of the Forum for Democratic Change, David Bahati the state minister of planning, Dr. Abed Bwanika, the President of the People’s Development Party, Dr. Philemon Mateke, the State Minister of Foreign Affairs for Regional Affairs among many others.

The trial of Dominic Ongwen continued on Monday 21 August, with the continuation of the testimony of the 27th Prosecution witness.

Witness P-0245 is testifying via video-link and with the protection measures of face distortion, the usage of a pseudonym and limited recourse to private session.

On this third day of testimony, most parts were heard in private sessions.

Thus, the examination-in-chief, led by OTP Trial Lawyer Pubudu Sachithanandan, was mostly held in private session.

Back in public, Witness P-0245 was cross-examined by Defence Lawyer Thomas Obhof.

In answering questions regarding the spiritual powers presumably possessed by Kony, the witness confirmed that Kony was possessed by spirits and even predicted the Ebola virus.

“Kony said that the disease would come and kill a lot of people but the LRA going to Uganda would not be affected,” described Witness P-0245.

in 2001, the Ebola outbreak occurred in the Gulu, Masindi, and Mbarara districts of Uganda.

The three greatest risks associated with virus infection were attending funerals of case-patients, having contact with case-patients in one’s family, and providing medical care to case-patients without using adequate personal protective measures.

The trial in the case of Dominic Ongwen continues today, Tuesday 22 August, with the continuation of the testimony of the 27th Prosecution witness, Witness P-0245.

The trial of Dominic Ongwen has blown the lid off Joseph Kony’s character and close ties with his field commander, Dominic Ongwen.

During the testimony of the 27th Prosecution Witness P-0245, who is testifying with the protection measures of face and voice distortion, said Kony checked on Ongwen after the latter sustained an injury.

The witness said Kony visited Ongwen at the Sick bay and told the patient that “he was really sorry about his injury”.

Kony also instructed people who protected Ongwen “to take care of him because he was one of his very good commanders”.

The witness said “Kony would refer to him as his in-law because Odomi’s sister was his wife. Ongwen was a very hard working person and very good fighter; Kony was very happy and pleased with him.”

After recourse to private session the witness answered questions regarding the attack in Palaro.

He said that during the attack in Palaro the soldiers were instructed by Dominic Ongwen to “loot shops and burn all the houses” and mentioned that many children at the age of 14 participated in the attack and several civilians – most of them boys – were abducted and taken to the bush.

In addition, the witness quoted what Kony instructed: “If you see people in their homesteads do not attack them because they are supporting the rebels”.

Later on, the attacks on Odek and Lukodi were described mostly in private session.

In a brief instance in open session the witness said that according to the orders “Lukodi had to be demolished and people should be killed”.

The continuation of examination took part mostly in private session.

The trial in the case of Dominic Ongwen continues this week.

Hearing of the case where four people are accused of murdering Major Muhammad Kiggundu and his body guard sergeant Stephen Mukasa before High Court’s Justice Wilson Kwesiga did not commence as scheduled today, after state prosecution informed court that they were not ready to proceed.

The lead Prosecutor, Senior Principle State Attorney John Asiimwe asked court for an adjournment, saying that they were still working on witnesses’ security to ensure their presence in court.

Defense counsel Friday Roberts Kagoro in reply however, expressed concern that prosecution had previously promised through Senior Principal state Attorney Linno Anguzo, to furnish them with details of all evidence they intend to rely on in this case, which they haven’t.

“On 17th and 18th August we wrote to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) requesting for disclosure but up to now the DPP has not responded,” he said.

Kagoro added that Prosecution should not delay the case basing on witness protection, because they (defence) don’t intend to oppose this.

He thus asked court to grant state one week to disclose evidence, failure of which the accused persons should be released unconditionally.

State Attorney Asiimwe said this was being worked on.

“We are making efforts to disclose evidence and we hope within two weeks period we shall be done with everything and in the third week we shall be ready for a hearing,” he said.

The judge in his ruling warned the state not to delay the case because of witness protection, noting that not all witnesses in the case need witness protection.

“Most witnesses like Doctors who made the post-mortem report; Police officers don’t need security to appear in court,” he ruled.

The matter was adjourned to 7th September 2017 for hearing.

A total of 127 Officers and Militants of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF), code named “Mission Uganda”, were yesterday flagged off to participate in the 11th East African Community Military Games and Cultural Events that will take place in Bujumbura.

The events that will take two weeks from 24th Aug to 6th of Sept was flagged off by the Joint Chief of Staff Major General Joseph Musanyufu at a ceremony held at the Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs Headquarters – Mbuya.

Mission Uganda, according to the army spokesperson Brig Ricahrd Karemire, is comprised of UPDF sportsmen and women who will participate in games like: football, Netball, Hand ball, Basketball and Cross-Country.

The EAC military games and cultural events are part of the annual activities under the Protocol on Cooperation in Defence amongst the EAC States.

They are geared towards enhancing physical fitness amongst the EAC forces, sharing experiences, developing sports in EAC militaries, and promoting integration through sports and culture.

In his remarks, Maj Gen Joseph Musanyufu who represented the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) urged the participants to represent UPDF and Uganda as a country well.

“I want you to compete and win but the main objective is cooperation”.

The ceremony was attended among others by the Chief of Training and Recruitment Brig Wills Byarugaba, the Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs/UPDF Spokesperson Brig Richard Karemire, the Deputy Chief of Education, Sports and Culture Col Ben Bintabara among others.

A 52-year-old man was Monday charged with aggravated defilement at City Hall Court in Kampala.

Juma Mayanja was charged with defilement of a 7-year-old pupil of Kampala Academy Primary school where he was working as a cleaner.

He was however declined to say anything since it is a capital offence that can only be heard in the High Court.

“You shall not take plea because this is a capital offence that can only be heard in the High Court. However, you have a right to bail in the High Court,” said the trial Magistrate, Moses Nabende before remanding the accused to September 7.

Prosecution states that on August 13, 2017 at Kisaasi Kanisa Zone in Kampala district, Mayanja unlawfully performed a sexual act with a girl aged seven years.

According to the court documents, the victim and a Tanzanian national on the fateful day at around 8:30am went to the staffroom as Mugoya, one of the pupils also went to one of the school store.

While there, she (victim) heard the school matron calling them to go back to the dormitory; however she said we can stay.

“I saw Muzeyi picking rubbish in the compound, Mugoya told me to go to the store but it was locked and we remained standing in front of the door. Shortly Mugoya was called by the matron to go and wash her panties which she declined to do,” the victim stated.

“….Mugoya came back and told me that Muzeyi the cleaner was calling me at the store but the door was still locked and I decided to go to the swings. However, in the process of swinging I saw him (Muzeyi) opening the store and I approached him to find out why he was calling me, he denied doing so but I was already inside the store where I wanted to play with the drums,” the victim further stated.

The documents further state that the primary two pupil was pulled close by Muzeyi who put down her knickers and then landed her on the floor.

“… He forced himself inside me, which was so painful; I attempted to make an alarm but he covered my mouth,” she lamented.

While on the swing, three boys found her at the swings crying and she informed them she was defiled by Muzeyi and the matter was reported to the school head teacher.

High Court in Kampala has sentenced Sheikh Yunus Kamoga and three other convicts to spend the rest of their lives  in Prison for Terrorism.

The three judges of High Court’s International Crimes Court read out the stern sentence a few minutes after 4pm on Tuesday.

The other convicts sentenced to life are Muluta Mudde Bukenya, Fahad Kalungi and Siraje Kawooya.

The four, all of them Muslim Leaders were sentenced, according to the judges’ ruling, for failure to use their leadership positions to bring about harmony amongst  their followers.

Two other terrorism convicts Sekayanja Abdul Salaam and Kalungi Fahad were sentenced to 30 years in jail, being that they were not in leadership positions.

Terrorism upon conviction attracts a minimum of 35 years and a maximum of life imprisonment, according to Sec 71(b) of the Anti Terrorism Act.

The Judges said they decided on such a harsh sentence, considering the gravity of the offence (terrorism) and and also to send out a message to those who abuse their leadership positions.

The also ruled that the offences were pre-meditated and plotted by the convicts in Mosques and various other places.

Kamoga and 5 others were yesterday convicted for Terrorism, but exonerated on charges of murder and attempted murder of fellow Muslim leaders.

They were accused of orchestrating the deaths of Sheikh Mustapha Bahiga, Sheikh Abdu Kadhir Muwaya, Sheikh Hassan Kirya and attempting to murder Sheikh Harunah Jemba.

Kamoga was found to have among others issued death threats to some of the victims and survivors; by way of fliers.

The judges also dismissed claims by defense lawyers that the evidence on which Kamoga and the other five were convicted was circumstantial, noting that the evidence directed linked the convicts to the crime.

The defense team had asked for the convicts to be cautioned and freed.

Meanwhile, yesterday,  a total of 8 out of 14 suspects were found not guilty of all charges by the court and were freed.

Those acquitted of all counts by the three judges are Amir Kinene, his brother Hakeem Kinene, Sematimba Abdul Rashid, Hamza Kasirye, Sekitto Twaha, Jingo Rashid, Musa Isa Mubiru and Yiga George William.

Members of Parliament on Tuesday slammed Arua Municipality Member of Parliament (MP), Col. Ibrahim Abiriga over his campaign aimed at lifting the presidential age limit.

An exchange ensued during a joint committee of Defense and ICT chaired by the latter’s chairperson, Annet Nyakecho while interfacing the Minister of Security and other agencies over the status of SIM Card registration whose deadline is at the end of August.

In his submission, Abiriga expressed support to maintaining the set deadline of registration so as to strengthen security in the country.

When Buyaga West County MP, Barnabas Tinkasimire got the opportunity to speak, he attacked Abiriga accusing him of advocating for stay of SIM card registration yet he on the other hand advocates for lifting of the presidential age limit.

“Many people haven’t registered not by their fault but due to reasons beyond their control; I find the submissions by Abiriga quiet unbecoming, he is the same person advocating for stay of the SIM card registration deadline yet he is advocating for lifting of the age limit,” Tinkasimire said.

Other legislators rose up putting Tinkasimire on order urging that his submissions and accusations against Abiriga are diversionary and outrageous.

In the uproar, Abiriga and Tinkasimire, who were seated next to each other, began pointing at each other and exchanging bitterly almost punching each other.

Kawempe South MP, Mubaraka Munyagwa joined in, and urged Abiriga to drop the campaign since it is not in the interest of Ugandans.

Abiriga was saved by Ntoroko MP, Gerald Rwemulikya who put Tinkasimire to order noting that every Ugandan has a right to an opinion and Abiriga should therefore be left free and being accused.

“Your opinion however should be reasonable, it should reflect adult age,” Tinkasimire responded.

He told the committee chairperson who had ruled him out of order that she should always inform them prior if Abiriga is to attend the committee meeting with them.

“I don’t want to meet this man in my committee; I wasn’t aware we were going to meet with people like Abiriga,” Tinkasimire noted.

At this time, the committee Chairperson, Nyakecho informed Tinkasimire that Abiriga is a member of the Defence Committee and has a right as a legislator to attend any committee sitting as an ex-officio urging him to stop insulting Abiriga over his personal opinions.

His country next month will be hosting the EAC Military Games and Cultural event in Capital Bujumbura; he recently officiated at the EAC Health and Scientific Conference, but Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza remains a social reject….a social media reject, to be specific; when talking in terms of the East African Community’s top leadership.

All the five East African heads of state are active users of the microblogging site Twitter, and they all follow each other, except their Burundian counterpart.

Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta is the most active and has over 2million followers. He follows 34 people including his EAC colleagues, apart from Nkurunziza.

The same goes for President Yoweri Museveni who has nearly 500,000 followers and follows 25, John Magufuli who has 300,000 followers and follows 9, and Paul Kagame who has 1.7million followers and follows 144.

For Kagame, the 144 include several presidents outside the EAC, former Presidents, even Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA).

Mr Nkurunziza follows only one of the four – Tanzania’s John Pombe Magufuli.

The Burundian President recently tweeted out a congratulatory message to his Kenyan counterpart upon being re-elected, but the message was unwelcome to most Kenyans, who hastily accused him of hypocrisy.

Kindly spare us your drama, Kenya is still undergoing democratic process of identifying legitimate winner. This is Kenya not Burundi.

— Joseph Tala (@JosephO70897984) August 10, 2017

The Burundian leader became ostracized regionally in early 2015 after he went against his country’s constitution to run for the third time.

His army launched a coup detat, while the president was away in neighbouring Tanzania, which however didn’t hold for long. Dozens of people were killed in the aftermath of the crisis that ensued, while over 25000 people fled the country.

In July 2015, he contested in the presidential race amid international criticism and won by 69%. Ever since, there have been continued reports of extrajudicial killings of people opposed to his regime.

Following the bloody crisis, regional leaders made fruitless attempts to have Nkurunziza and his opponents sit and dialogue for peace.

Last month, Tanzania’s John Magufuli assayed to revive the crumbled talks, and invited the Burundian leader for a meeting in Tanzania.

At the meeting, Nkurunziza urged all Burundians in exile to return home, declaring that the country “is now at peace.”

President Yoweri Museveni has applauded the UPDF leadership for their efforts in improving the skills of the soldiers.

Speaking during the passing out new recruits at the Oliver Tambo training school Kaweweeta on Tuesday, Museveni said he was happy with the soldiers that the country is producing of recent.

Museveni tours the army training school

“Whatever you sow is what you reap. I was happy to see the standard of the trainees being high,” Museveni said.

“They are like officers yet they are just recruits.”

Museveni inspects the army recruits on parade

The Commander in Chief of the armed forces said in the past the officers and recruits were not as sharp as now, owing it to the compulsory training and education of the soldiers.

Museveni however warned the recruits against indiscipline which he said would ruin their lives.

Museveni watches at the recruits demonstrate their acquired skills.

“Discipline should be in your personal life so as to avoid AIDS and alcohol. The future will be bright if you are disciplined, “he said.

He also warned ‘trespassers’ on the land belonging to the army training schools.

“The land is for the army to train from and if anybody dies (due to bullets from trainees), it would be their fault.”

Taking aim

The Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. David Muhoozi said the army leadership is now focused on training to the infantry especially in individual and group tasks.

He said there is need to impart modern training skills in soldiers including weapon handling and marksmanship.

Soldiers getting over a barrier.

A total of 3166 soldiers were passed out after completing a 9 months training.

Among these, 74 were female professionals.

President Museveni watched as the recruits went through drills and shooting skills.

The recruits also showcased some acrobatic skills

The Prime Minister has summoned several Ministers and different agencies for a crisis meeting over the looming deadline for SIM card registration which is due August 31.

This was revealed by the Minister of Security, Gen. Henry Tumukunde who was appearing before the Parliamentary Committee on ICT over the status of SIM card registration.

Tumukunde said the meeting is a follow up on an earlier one on Monday which aimed at harmonizing government’s position on the issue considering everything at stake.

Those called for the crisis meeting include the Minister of Security, the Ministry of ICT, Minister of Internal Affairs and officials from other relevant agencies such as UCC, NIRA and NITA.

“What is greatly at stake is the security of the country. We had a meeting with the Prime Minister and we are having another meeting today; we are supposed to harmonize our position,” Tumukunde said.

Tumukunde who could not give a clear answer to issues raised by the legislators, asked the committee members to allow time to the Inter-ministerial committee to come up with the final resolution.

“The process must be streamlined if we are still managing the matter and we are still having unsatisfactory answers coming up; allow us first process an answer because we agreed to handle it through the Prime Minister’s office and then come back to you with an appropriate position to present,” Tumukunde noted.

He added, “We are trying to ensure that we try to satisfy all the interests at stake, allow us to first meet.”

This comes at a time after the Telecom companies wrote to the different government departments and Ministries revealing that their business is at stake since some of their customers have not registered due to lack of a National Identification Number from NIRA.

The committee chairperson, Nyakecho adjourned the meeting to Thursday calling on all the concerned ministries and agencies to attend and offer a final position.