The continued habit of late reporting and absenteeism of health workers has irked the Kabarole district chairperson and District health officer, prompting the duo to think deleting the lazy officers from the government payroll.

During a Health Assembly convened at Kibiito Health Center IV boardroom, Bunyangabu County, Mr. Rwabuhinga Richard the District Chairperson observed with concern that the increasing absenteeism and late reporting of medics has greatly contributed to the poor health performance, maternal and infant mortality.

Rwabuhinga said, “The rate at which the in-charges of Health facilities are absenting themselves from duty is alarming. This has greatly affected service delivery in the health sector”

Fuming Rwabuhinga mentioned Rubona Health Center and Kasunganyanja Health Center III in Bunyangabu where the Health in -charges and their staff have really done a disservice to the people and the district.

Mr. Rwabuhinga directed the District Health Officer (DHO) Dr. Mugahi Richard to compile a list of all the errant medics and forward them to his office and that of the Chief Administrative officer so that they are
deleted from the payroll.

He however commended some committed and hardworking staff who he says he finds at work stations attending to the huge numbers of patients.

The DHO strongly warned the medics against the vice that subjects the patients to suffering and being stranded at health facilities.

He revealed that as a way of improving service delivery and curbing the vice of absenteeism the health department has brought on board the sub county chiefs and district councilors to monitor and supervise the operations of health facilities in their sub counties.

But the people downplayed the DHO’s statement when he said the sub county chief are brought on board to monitor health centers and yet they are ranked number one civil servants in absenteeism saying they are rarely present in their sub counties.

Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) has announced new screening measures that will involve interviewing contractors before handing them road projects.

The Authority on Friday strongly condemned the acts of some contractors who do not meet their standards and made a number of demands they must meet.

Samuel Muhozi, UNRA’s Director of Roads and Bridge Development stressed, “This is a new UNRA; the old one is no more.”

He was speaking at an engagement meeting between the Authority and its contractors on Friday at Silver Spring Hotel.

Muhozi noted that in this new season, all contractors will be required to perform as if they were working on the roads back in their home countries.

He revealed that the body will increase engagement with contractors and consultants to settle until the quality of roads improves.

“This will enable UNRA to be accountable to the public; the tax payers who dish out money every year to infrastructure development.

The UNRA Executive Director was this week on a tour on roads in various parts of the country but noted that the quality was not pleasing.

Since she took up her office, Mrs Kagina has committed to eliminate all corruption in the organization and to win back the public trust.

The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has sounded a warning to the public about the increasing rate of fraud in the country at the time.

In a notice dated July 29^th, the UCC Executive Director, Eng. Godfrey Mutabazi says the fraudsters use automated online platforms, largely through messaging to defraud unsuspecting correspondents.

“Fraudsters impersonate subscribers with the intent of extorting money from the unsuspecting correspondent of the victims. This is done using automated online systems largely through the SMS messaging platform,” the notice reads in part.

The public has been advised to take extra caution and to always confirm the originator of any money related messages to avoid falling prey to such acts.

UCC noted that a number of people have already fallen victims of the said fraudsters and that the commission is working relentlessly with other stakeholders to combat the vice.

Government’s own Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) this week launched its annual report, concernedly highlighting a growing gap in the remuneration of government employees, especially in civil service.

The EOC is established by the Equal Opportunities Commission Act (2007) to give effect to the State’s constitutional mandate to eliminate discrimination and inequalities against any individual or group of persons, and take affirmative action in favor of marginalized groups marginalized for the purpose of redressing imbalances which exist against them; and to provide for other related matters”.

The Commission stressed in the report that the huge differences among the highest and lowest paid officers in the different Government Institutions in Uganda, was in direct breach of the national constitution’s Article 40, which requires Parliament to enact laws to provide for the rights of persons to work under satisfactory, safe and healthy conditions, to ensure equal payment for equal work without discrimination.

The findings of the report brought back to the fore the growing criticism of government’s failure to set a minimum wage for all workers across the country.

In the absence of a minimum wage, the commission warned, many workers in employment are getting frustrated and opting to quit their jobs because they are incurring high costs in addition to being paid sums that are not commensurate to the amount of work that they do.

Among the country’s highest paid officers is the Governor Bank of Uganda who takes home up to Shs. 53.3 million per month, and the Commissioner General Uganda Revenue Authority who earns Shs. 40.9million.

Others are the Executive Director NSSF (39million) Executive Director UCC (36.9Million), Executive Director KCCA (36Million) Auditor General (36million) and General Manager National Medical Stores (35million).

On the lowest end of this list are Ministry Permanent Secretaries who earn Shs. 3.7million,  CAO and Accountant Generals who take home only 2.3million.

The Commission notes from this list that some officials earn three-to-twenty two times more than their counterparts in other public enterprises.

“In some cases junior staff in certain entities, surprisingly, earn more than CEOs. A case in point; a Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance or any other Ministry earns 9% of what Commissioner General in URA earns and 7% of what the Governor earns.”

“The top most paid officials in Bank of Uganda, URA, NSSF, UCC, KCCA, OAG, NMS, NITA, UETCL, NWSC and CAA are receiving salaries, in the range of USh.30- 54 million per month, while the Chief Justice is paid USh.5 million a month,” the report pointed out.

On the political side, the same challenges surface. At the local government level, the highest paid person in the district chairman who earns 2.08million shillings per month. The least paid on the other hand is the Municipal division chairman who earns Shs. 312,000.

In this regard, the annual difference between the highest paid local government political leader and the lowest paid leader is USh.21,216,000 annually. In other words, it takes 7 years for the lowest paid political leader to earn what the highest paid political leader earns in 1 year.

Meanwhile the lower level public servants such as government teachers and medics continue to bear the brunt of these disparities.

It is said that Uganda’s 160,000 teachers are among the worst paid public workers in the East African region.

According to the Equal Opportunities Commission Report, Primary school teachers in Uganda earn an average 270,000 shillings a month and their secondary school counterparts take home an average of 470,000 shillings.

The Commission warned that there is an urgent need to harmonize the salary structures in government in order to get rid of the disparities.

“The most logical starting point is to fast track the operationalisation Public Salaries Review Board which will study the current arrangement in order to arrive at a single spine salary structure, which will determine remuneration across the board, to eliminate gross inequalities, discrimination and marginalization anomalies and establish comparability between different posts.”

“Countries like Ghana have already established single spine salary structures and Uganda could gain from their experience. Kenya has also started on the harmonization process, following the adoption of the new Constitution. Gone are the days when Kenyan MPs had a mandate to determine their own emoluments, making them among the highest paid legislators in the world.”

Dust has barely settled of emerging revelations of how the Uganda Police Force continues to inhumanely treat civilians; another shocking example has Saturday afternoon come to the open.

A phone video footage showing a police truck driver intentionally knocking down a man cheering FDC’s former Presidential candidate Col Dr Kizza Besigye, has gone viral.

In the video which was captured by a one Henry Nsubuga in Kyebando, the police pickup truck following Dr Besigye’s mild procession slows down, turns slightly into the pavement and knocks down one of the supporters, who is cheering the passing politician. It then rolls back on the road and speeds off without stopping.

Another man who is running on foot and presumably a police officer kicks hard on the knocked man who is rolling in pain on the ground. This person in civilian attire is wearing a headdress, perhaps to hide his identity.

The video comes in the midst of an ongoing trial of up to 9 police officers who were filmed less than three weeks ago, brutally beating up supporters of the Dr Besigye who was celebrating his release from Luzira prison.

Today’s video kicked up a storm over social media, with some commentators reviving the call for the resignations of the Inspector General of Police Gen Kale Kayihura.

“Now who should people run to when faced with injustice and brutality? This is sad,” said one Barbra Katusabe on Twitter.

“This looks like a hit and run case! Maybe the driver was under instructions to “clear” the way,” another Patrick Kalunda stressed.

Other commentators on Facebook went to question how long it would take for the IGP to be forced out of his office.

The IGP in the wake of the earlier incident came out and defended the actions of the police officers (who are now on trial) and strongly condemned the media for telling only one side of the story.

Famous Musician Bobi Wine posted today, “There are some things that we just CANNOT KEEP SILENT ABOUT! Where is a citizen supposed to report when abused by the police?.”

“If the police can do this in broad daylight, I can only imagine the things they do in the night and those others we can’t capture on camera, is this what our government has come to?,” said another Emma Mujuzi.

“If the institution tasked with protecting us is instead violating our rights, where is the common man supposed to run to. The whole system is rotten. It reminds me of when I was mugged a few weeks ago and the suspects released because they are related to a CMI official who promised to return all stolen items but alas two months down the road and they don’t even take my calls. And they talk of Uganda zaabu… Shame on all of them,” added Ngonzi Micahel

Uganda Police Force has broken the silence on the shocking video which was released on social media, where a police truck intentionally knocked a man cheering former FDC presidential candidate Dr. Kizza Besigye.

In the video, the police pickup truck veers off the road to the pavement, knocks down the supporter and drives off without stopping. The victim, while trying to get up, is also kicked by a man with a helmet in civilian attire, who is believed to have been a part of the security operatives.

Police has since regretted and condemned the actions of the officers, pledging to follow up the video to identify the victim, the truck driver and the commanding officer.

“The alleged actions by the police driver in the footage are concerning and highly regrettable by management.”

“Professional Standards Unit (PSU), upon reviewing the footage is working hard to identify the victim, the police pickup, its driver and the car commander, which officers will be suspended from operational duties pending outcome of the investigations,” CP Enanga, the Police spokesperson wrote in a statement released Saturday July 30^th.

He added that the video shall be used by the PSU to justify evidence of professional misconduct by the selected officers undergoing disciplinary court processes.

“Although many questions about our policing and accountability have been asked in the previous month, we highly encourage filming and release of videos on sensitive police related incidents as a very important step in promoting transparency in the course of our duties,” Enanga further noted.

He however warned that the process of filming should not interfere with a police officer on duty, cause refusal to obey a lawful order or obstruct an arrest among other things.

The video comes in the midst of an ongoing trial of up to 9 police officers who were filmed less than three weeks ago, brutally beating up supporters of the Dr Besigye who was celebrating his release from Luzira prison.

By: Pr. David Musooli

Transparency is one of the ingredients of a strong and stable marriage, without which lots of relationships have of the late broken down.

According to the Bible account, the man Adam and his wife Eve were originally naked and not ashamed. They were not ashamed with one another and not ashamed before God. Being transparent can be likened to being ‘naked and not ashamed’.

There was transparency, openness and nothing was hidden by one person from the other. I believe that this nakedness was physical, emotional and spiritual. After they sinned against God, they became ashamed.

God’s ideal plan for the husband and wife in a Christian marriage is transparency as it was in the very beginning. He wants every spouse to be as open as possible to the other. The greater the honesty and transparency, the stronger the marriage will be.

The lack of transparency in marriage is a result of mistrust and insecurity towards each other, or one toward the other.

The more secrets you keep from your spouse, the less opportunity you have for real intimacy in your marriage.

Transparency in Secret Relationships

One of the key areas in which couples have secrets is in external relationships; especially external relationships with people of opposite sex.

With the on-going world-wide advancements in technology, it has become easier for people to be distant from each other and yet communicate as though they are so close. It has also become easy for people too keep secret emails, secret phone calls and messages of various sorts.

This has culminated into situations where one is afraid for their spouse to read their cell phone messages and uncomfortable for the other party to be close by while they talk on phone or read a text message.

From ‘little white lies’ to more significant secrets, marriages are being destroyed for lack of transparency.

A serious Christian husband or wife should crave a state in their marriage where there are less secrets, or no secrets at all. This is a bedrock and firm foundation that guarantees stability in marriage. God’s ideal marriage is absolute honesty between spouses. There should be no room for lies and deceit in a marriage setting.

Transparency of Previous Relationships

Circumstances where it is difficult to share your dreams with your spouse or where you feel ‘unsafe’ to tell your spouse what is happening in your life can be detrimental to the marriage.

Such a state of affairs is not God’s desire for a couple, the antidote to secrets in marriage is good communication and dialogue.

Making time to talk and be real with one another is crucial in ensuring transparency, honesty and ultimately a healthy marriage.

Also, there can be secrets related to such things as promiscuity, sexual sin and unfaithfulness which can take several forms and become deadly to the marriage unless the issues are brought into the light and are addressed.

Bringing these issues into the light must be based on the understanding that the couple value their relationship with God and their marriage more than anything else.

Secondly, that the couple is willing to join strength and work together to fight against the enemies of their marriage.

Transparency in Weaknesses

Disclosing your struggles and what is going on with the real you to your spouse can be difficult to do, but it is considerably necessary.

You deserve the support from your spouse and you also need to give the same support. Unfaithfulness and cheating on your spouse resulting from a lack of openness to each other can become emotionally painful. It can lead to a break-up once discovered by the other partner.

This should not happen. God calls us to be faithful to one another in our marriages and to glorify Him.

Transparency is a key to addressing the problem of unfaithfulness in marriages. Marriage is designed by God to be our expression of Christ’s relationship with His bride, the Church.

Commitment is required to hold a couple together through the difficulties of various sorts; feelings may come and go but they are not the foundation of marriage.

The foundation of marriage is love and love is commitment and where there is commitment, transparency and honesty will also be there.

Transparency in Finances

There is also the aspect of finance and property related secrets such as; hidden receipts and property title deeds, secret bank accounts, hidden motor vehicle registration certificates (car log books), etc. that are concealed from one spouse by the other.

The proper attitude that godly couples should have towards finances is that whatever I have is ‘our finances’ and not ‘my finances.’

Some hold the view that a wife’s money belongs to her alone while the husband’s money belongs to both of them. I don’t think that is correct because in a Christian marriage, the two are one therefore, even concerning finances, the two should be one.

Breaking the Walls of Secrets

Having secrets in marriage is like having a house with several rooms in which you allow your spouse access to only some of the rooms in that house but not to some of them.

God requires us to break down all the internal dividing walls in that imaginary house and allow our spouses access to every part of our ‘marriage house.’

That is God’s ideal and will for every marriage, this does not necessarily mean that you have to give account of your every minute detail to your spouse.

The point is that God’s ultimate goal in marriage is transparency and we must all work towards that.

Some spouses, especially the wives have suffered unnecessary exploitation from their partners as a result of disclosure and openness to them.

I understand the fact that being open to another exposes you and makes you vulnerable. Again, the trust you give to the other by opening up to them can be grossly violated leading to hurt.

Each couple should be able to tell at what level of intimacy they are in their relationship and be able to determine how much disclosure is not ‘too much.’ However, God’s original intention was for a marriage to be lived in transparency.

We simply need to appreciate that transparency and honesty is vital for a healthy marriage.

Transparency and Trust

The need to be trustworthy and to trust one another cannot be over emphasized, there is a continuous need to be open with one another and for couples to have no secrets.

Transparency develops when each partner in marriage prove to the other that they can be trusted. In marriage, the ability for your spouse to trust you depends on you and not on them.

You probably have heard the common proverb; ‘Trust is earned and not given.’ It does not just happen that your spouse would begin to trust you; you must earn it.

It has to be earned by proving your character and support over time. You cannot simply demand to be trusted.

You must prove yourself to be trustworthy and your spouse will become more and more transparent to you and vice versa.

The writer is a pastor of Nation shakers’ Revival Ministries in Kampala 

ispotya@gmail.com

19 candidates were on Friday successfully nominated to vie for the different positions of leadership in the newly created district of Rubanda in the Kigezi sub region.

Three were nominated for the position of Woman Member of Parliament, namely 27 year old Hildah Kabarungi Karuhize on independent ticket, Vastine Katushabe (FDC) and Prossy Akampurira Mbabazi, (NRM).

FDC Candidate for District Woman MP Vastine Katushabe

For the LC V chairperson seat, four candidates were nominated, that is, Kenneth Biryabarema Joogo (NRM), Nelson Habasa (Independent) Stephen Ampaire Kasyaba (independent)  and Joseph Ruhangariyo (FDC).

The nominations of the LCV candidates’ turned dramatic when the FDC candidate, one Ambrose Tumukunde failed to show up and switched off his phones.

27 year old Hildah Kabarungi Karuhize the independent candidate

Confused and panicking with no breakthrough in efforts to reach him, Dr Joseph Tindyebwa the FDC national deputy secretary general  for research and mobilization intervened and gathered a team that begun looking for  another candidate.

His team finally zeroed on Felix Ngabirano, but when they brought him before the Kabale district returning officer Ismail Atwijukire, it was found that he was 29 years and three months, yet the law requires one to be at least 30 years to stand for the district chairman position.

Ngabirano was thus disqualified and the search resumed for another alternative, leading to Joseph Ruhangariyo the former Rubanda county west MP aspirant, who was eventually nominated for the seat.

Benjamin Mbabazi of the Uganda People’s Congress also caused drama at the nomination center when he showed up with only 80 signatures of the 300 needed from the six sub counties.

Benjamin Mbabazi the UPC candidate is said ti have forged the nomination forms

It was also found that he photocopied the nomination forms of the FDC candidate and tried to use them for his nomination.

The returning officer Ismail Atwijukire was dismayed and immediately disqualified him.

Supporters of 27 year old Hildah Kabarungi Karuhize celebrate her nomination

At the close of the nominations, Atwijukire appealed to the candidates to abide by the rules and regulations governing elections to avoid being disqualified or court cases thereafter.

He described the exercise as peaceful and calm.

A train bound for Kampala yesterday derailed in the Kibarani village near the Mombasa Port, almost plunging into the Indian Ocean.

The residents including minors descended on the wreckage, and plundered everything that their hands landed on.

The cause of the accident was not yet pointed out although the captains said it was hard for them to control it. No fatalities were reported.

Residents scampering for the contents of the train

The cargo train was carrying grains, largely wheat for the Grain Bulk Handlers Limited.

The locals carted away the commodity estimated at around 280million Uganda Shillings according to local media.

The train, media reported, nearly plunged into the Indian Ocean and that the captains quickly jumped out when the locomotive became difficult to control.

Residents say Kibarani is slowly turning into a black spot owing to the sorry situation of the railway lines in the area.

Fishermen said they heard a loud bang and realized that it was a train which almost plunged into the sea during the 6am incident.

A woman carries away some of the grains from the train that was derailed at Kibarani on Sunday

Halima Kistao, a fish monger, said that she was very lucky to have secured some of the grains.

She made fun that her family will go for many days without buying food and she would be happier if another train cargo with either cooking oil or maize flour plunges again.

“I am very happy with my children. Today we will celebrate. In fact, it will take me months before going to the shops. Prices of commodities are very high and inflated. We pray for another accident to occur,” she said.

Samson Ondego of the Grain Bulk Handlers Limited blamed the Rift Valley Railways for the fault. He said the lines have not been maintained for a long time.

“We are very upset at losing millions cargo to the sea. It is the fault of RVR for not maintaining the rails for a long time,” he said.

MP Fred Tumuheirwe Turyamuhweza, the Rujumbura County Member of Parliament in Rukungiri district has been elected the new District Roads Committee chairperson.

Turyamuhweza who subscribes to the opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) defeated the Rukungiri Woman Member of Parliament Winfred Matsiko (NRM) polling 5 votes against Matsiko’s 2.

The poll was conducted last weekend in a meeting held at Rukungiri district headquarters on Thursday.

Turyamuhweza is serving his first term parliament, having defeated the former Minister of Information and National Guidance Rtd. Maj Gen Jim Muhwezi  Katugugu in the last February elections.

He was nominated by his fellow FDC MP Roland Mugume Kaginda (Rukungiri Municipality) for the Roads Committee post, while Matsiko was nominated by the Rukungiri district chairperson Andrewson Katebire.

Turyamuhweza after the election pledged to co-operate with district leaders to make sure all the roads in the district are in good condition.

The seven member road committee is composed of all Members of Parliament in the district, the district chairperson and two engineers, one from the municipality and the other from the district.

The ex-officio member of the committee also the chief administrative officer, Milton Kato, said the district engineer Julius Bagira must be the secretary of the committee due to his expertise in engineering section.

The committee also approved a road fund of sh666.8m to be used this financial year 2016/17.

President Yoweri Museveni is slated to hold talks with the Inspector General of Police Gen Kale Kayihura to get the full picture of the reports in the news about growing police brutality.

The president revealed yesterday that he was not fully aware of the recent developments where police is being accused of brutalizing supporters of FDC’s Col Dr Kizza Besigye.

He noted however, that beating of people who are no riotous was wrong of the police.

“I know that police are trying to do their work, but if somebody was demonstrating peacefully…” said the President

Museveni was addressing the press at the close of the cabinet retreat at the Kyankwanzi National Leadership Institute.

“I am going to have a word with the Inspector General of Police to find out if the demonstration was violent or a peaceful one,” he said.

The president’s response follows the emergence of a video over the weekend in which a police driver deliberately knocked one of Dr Besigye’s supporters on the roadside.

The video which police has sternly condemned, was taken on the same day that police was filmed beating up supporters of Besigye when he had just returned from Prison in Luzira. Up to 9 police officers are being charged before an internal police court over this matter.

“The fact that some people were charged in courts,” added the President, “I suspect that the demonstration was illegal but not violent; otherwise it would not have been reasonable to charge people who were defending themselves against an illegal and violent demonstration.”

He added, “If it was illegal but not violent, there you use judgment, you could either leave them or arrest them or something like that.”

Museveni however, urged the media to always exercise restraint when reporting on such developments and avoid taking sides.

“You should do what you are supposed to do under the media principles; inform, educate and entertain truthfully, without telling lies,” he said, “because when you tell lies, you make yourself an enemy of progress.”

The Executive Director of African Center for Media Excellence, Dr. Peter Mwesige has been appointed to chair the Committee tasked to review the operations of the Uganda Broadcasting Corporation Television.

Mr. Mwesige’s appointment was announced on Monday by the minister of Information, Communication and Telecommunication and National Guidance, Frank Tumwebaze who constituted the commission in a bid to revamp the nearly feeble national broadcaster.

According to Mr. Tumwebaze, UBC TV already has the infrastructure and great amount of required resources to make the broadcaster and its sister stations the number one choice for audience in the country and beyond.

“We have the infrastructure, we have the people, we have the ideas and we have the drive to make UBC and all affiliated stations the best,” Mr. Tumwebaze said.

The minister stated that the commission consists of the team of only experts who have self-proven their abilities in various fields and expectations from their new task are already high.

“I am privileged today to commission a team of experts who have proven themselves in different fields and task them to spend some time and effort doing a review and assessment of UBC and its respective
channels.”

The committee according Tumwebaze will liaise very closely with the Board of UBC and with the ministry of ICT and National Guidance.

Peter Mwesige and his team are expected to finish the assignment in one month and report back to the minister.

Dr. Mwesige is a recognized leader in the journalism and media sector in Uganda. He is a co-founder and executive director of the African Centre for Media Excellence, and has extensive experience in the  newsroom and the journalism classroom.

He sits on the advisory boards of the International Journalism Fellowships of the International Centre for Journalists (Sub-Saharan Africa) and the international journal, African Journalism Studies. He was until July 2009 the Group Training Editor of the Nation Media Group, East Africa’s biggest multi-media company, where he was in charge of newsroom training at the company’s nearly dozen print and electronic media outlets in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.

He holds a Ph.D. in Mass Communications from Indiana University, U.S.A., and a Master’s degree in Journalism & Mass Communication from the American University in Cairo. Dr. Mwesige was until November 2007 the head of the Department of Journalism & Communication at Makerere University, Kampala, where he was also a senior lecturer.

Dr. Mwesige has previously worked as a reporter, news editor, political editor, and political columnist. He was until March 2006 the Executive Editor of the Nation Media Group’s Kampala-based Monitor
Publications Ltd, publishers of the Daily and Sunday Monitor.

Other Commission members include Ms. Peace Piwang, a renowned human resource professional, Mr. Adolf Mbaine described in the ministers brief as a seasoned journalist, a media manager and academician.

President Yoweri Museveni’s son in-law, Mr. Odrek Rwabogo who was described as senior journalist, a public relations and communications professional and a famer is also among the seven man team.

Engineer and ICT expert, Kato Bitarabeho and Mr. Peter Okello Jabwelliare also in the Commission.
The Secretary and the Legal Counsel of the Committee is Mr. Andrew Kibaya, an advocate of the high court with experience in corporate and commercial law.

The Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC) for Somalia, Ambassador Francisco Madeira has commended Uganda for its role in pacifying and stabilizing Somalia.

Ambassador Madeira made the remarks at a medals award ceremony held in Mogadishu, yesterday, for Ugandan Contingent’s Formed Police Unit (FPU) that completed a year’s tour of duty.

“Uganda is in the right path; Uganda is doing the right things; Uganda is sacrificing for Somalia but more importantly, Uganda is playing its part in the overall African Union objective of creating a united African Union,” Ambassador Madeira who also commended the country for the spirit of  Pan Africanism.

Ambassador Madeira noted that Somalia had undergone major transformation, thanks to the role played by the Ugandan army and police, which, he noted, have helped in the establishment of the country’s state institutions.

“We now see clearly that Somalis are taking over responsibilities in the country. They are now capable of running a proper police force. They are now capable of defending the country and we should continue capacitating, arming and supporting the Somalis,” he observed.

Uganda’s Ambassador to Somalia, Prof. Sam Turyamuhika, spoke of the strong historical ties the two countries have enjoyed over a long period of time and pledged the country’s continued support in pacifying Somalia.

“As long as the conditions allow, especially in respect to the police force, the co-operation between the Uganda Police and the Somali Police Force will go on even after we have formally withdrawn from AMISOM co-operation enablement,” the ambassador added.

Christine Alalo, the Deputy AMISOM Police Commissioner hailed the Ugandan contingent, the fourth to serve in the peacekeeping mission, for a job well done. “I want to thank the Government of Uganda for allowing its personnel, the police to serve in Somalia towards peace building,” Alalo said.

The Uganda FPU Contingent Commander, Aliria Samuel Abbedi, hailed both AMISOM and Somali Police Force leadership for their support over the last one year, which enabled the officers to work tirelessly in improving security of Mogadishu and other towns.

“Military hardware like guns, pistols, bombs, grenades, PKM guns, ammunition and military uniforms were recovered,” Abbedi said.

Ambassador Madeira hailed the Ugandan contingent for excelling on the job. “You can now go home and say mission accomplished. You have accomplished your mission.”

The function was also attended by Uganda’s Deputy Ambassador, Maj. Gen. Nathan Mugisha, and senior Somali security officers, led by the SPF Commissioner, Maj. Gen. Mohamed Sheikh Hassan Hamud.

The FPU is tasked, with among others, public order management, providing operational support to the Somali Police Force and protecting  staff working for AMISOM, United Nations and African Union.

President Yoweri Museveni today continued to showcase his proficiency in fire arms, at the Kyankwanzi National Leadership Institute.

Museveni on Monday afternoon took to the firing range to show his skills with the riffle, to the dozens of Ministers and Permanent Sectaries who are attending a weeklong retreat at the Institute.

It has become a norm for the President to try to show his skills with the gun as well as other military skills to such groups of leaders every time they are at the training Institute

Museveni showing his shots

In March this year, the President took his party (NRM) caucus members through the shooting experience, teaching some of them the art of hitting the target on the range.

He then allowed a few members to try out the riffle themselves.

Opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has Monday summoned party founding members and the working committee for a meeting aimed discussing the current status of the country in line with the party agenda.

The party Vice President Northern Region, Regean Okumu told the media during the weekly press briefing in Najjanankumbi that the meeting shouldn’t be mistaken as aimed at discussing the alleged crisis in the party since there is none of the sort.

“Today we are in a meeting of the party working committee/cabinet and we have invited the party founder members to participate in this very crucial meeting,” Okumu said.

“Some of these founding members include; Dr. Besigye, Winnie Byanyima, Ogalo and many others; there should be no speculations that there is a crisis in the party, the meeting is about the crisis in Uganda and about the destiny of this country,” Okumu emphasized.

Okumu said that the level of impunity, police brutality and the uncoordinated movement of troops and statements by security organs, all point out to a failed regime

“You can see what is happening today, the country is in disarray, the regime is in misery, you can see how the police brutalize innocent civilians and the level of impunity.”

Okumu said that in any democratic country, the IGP and the Minister of Internal Affairs would all have resigned given the uncoordinated statements that they issued out when innocent Ugandans were brutalized by men in uniform recently.

“The whole IGP calls up a press conference and justifies the clobbering of civilians and the Minister of Internal Affairs stands up in Parliament and says the problem on the command; if you know the whole problem is of command, why don’t you reprimand Kale Kayihura who justified it.”

Tycoon Caesar Augustine Mulenga, the self professed king of the controversial Mulenga Development Kingdom has appointed former minister of agriculture Tressy Bucyanayandi as chairperson of the kingdom.

Mulenga says he appointed Bucyanayandi because he is a man of high integrity; one who everywhere he worked, both in civil service and politics, was never implicated in any scandal.

He said Bucyanayandi will be chairing a 9 member committee running the kingdom, on which is former MP contestant Dr Francis Mwesigye Runumi.

79 year old Bucyanayandi recently quit elective politics, having been the Bufumbira South Member of Parliament for the last 10 years as well as the Minister of Agriculture.

King Caesar was about three years ago installed by some people in Kisoro as the King of the so called development kingdom which operates in the districts of Kabale, Kisoro Kanungu, Isingiro, Ntungamo, Rukungiri, Mitooma, Kibaale  and Kamwenge.

His installment however, has on several occasions received resistance   from his native Kisoro district by some people led by the Bishop  of the diocese  of Muhabura Cranmer  Mugisha who has as well stopped church leaders from receiving donations from him.

Discounted match tickets for the much anticipated group D 2017 Afcon qualifier clash between Uganda Cranes and Comoros are now out in the market.

The local football body, FUFA offered about 2600 normal tickets sold at an 18% translating to UGX 20,500 each.

Fans started purchasing the tickets on Monday 1st, sold only at FUFA house in Mengo until Wednesday 10th.

Uganda will take on Comoros in the decider on 3rd September three days after an international build up friendly with Cecafa rivals Kenya.

“The same ticket will be used by fans to watch International friendly match between Uganda Cranes and Kenya” FUFA Communications Manager Ahmed Hussein said.

After Wednesday, fans will part with UGX 25,000 for the normal tickets, 60,000 for the VIP and 160,000 for the VVIP that comes with a Cranes Jersey.

Uganda Cranes picked a crucial 1-0 away win in Comoros from the first leg

Guideline.

Fans who purchase the advance tickets will only present it to access the stadium on 30th August against Kenya.

“No part of the ticket will be taken off.  The tickets will be given back to the fans immediately after verification for use again on 3rd September.”

Media.

The Fufa media manager also opened the media accreditation process for the two games. Like the tradition, sports media intending to cover the game will download an application form from the federations official portal, fill in the required details and send back before Monday 8th August deadline.

Christians in Kabale Diocese on Sunday utilized the day to commemorate 50 years of the Diocese, to vent out their dissatisfaction with the new government cabinet.

The Christians were unhappy that President Yoweri Museveni appointed only one minister from the diocese and has not fulfilled most of the promises he made to the diocese.

Nicodemus Odo Tumukwasibwe, the Chairman of Diocese Laity said that as Christians of Kabale, even though they voted for Museveni, they have in return got byooya byanswa.

Odo Tumukwasiibwe (L) the chairman of the Laity

He noted that in the previous government, Kabale Diocese had four ministers but in this year’s new cabinet, three were dropped by the president. The road to the Diocese offices too has not been worked on as the President promised in the past.

In June, President released the new cabinet list, with only Dr Chris Baryomunsi from the Kabale Diocese. The others who include Prime Minister Dr Ruhakana Rugunda, David Bahati, Lt. Gen. Henry Tumukunde, Dr Philemon Mateke and Herbert Kabafunzaki and non-Catholics.

Tress Bucyanayandi, Dr Baryomunsi, Wilfred Niwagaba and Dr Runumi singing at the celebrations

Tumukwasibwe noted with concern that the Catholics from diocese; Tressy Bucyanayandi (agriculture), Henry Banyenzaki (economic monitoring) and Prisca Ssezi Mbaguta (pensions) were dropped.

At the event, Dr Chris Baryomunsi the state minister of housing who represented the Prime Minister, emphasized government’s ‘gift’ to all Uganda of freedom of worship.

“The government applauds the Church leadership for the good work it has been doing for the last 50 years,’ he said. “Your work has not only been spiritual but also developmental is the areas of education and health,” he said.

Dr Baryomunsi receives holy communion

Away from the politics, while preaching at the Golden Jubilee, His Grace Paul Bakyenga the Mbarara Archdiocese Archbishop warned Ugandans against living lavishly, saying that many Ugandans have brought their economic hardships upon themselves.

Bishop Callistus Rubaramira the diocesan Bishop said that the 50 years celebration should be a time to credit the founders of the diocese for their most appreciated efforts and initiatives in founding and building the diocese.

Tycoon Ceasar Augustine Mulenga and Mary Paula Turyahikayo the Rubabo County Mp Lead other Christians to the Holy Eucharist

He said God had favored and blessed the diocese abundantly in so many ways in terms of vocations to priesthood, religious life and family life.

Kabale Diocese was founded in 1966. The theme of the Jubilee celebrations held at Rushoroza cathedral grounds, in Kabale diocese was “re-awakening our catholic identity and commitment.”

Former Chancellor of Gulu University Prof. Frederick Kayanja has hailed the role played by technology in modern times but cautioned that government and other agencies should do more in ensuring that these technologies are better managed.

The seasoned scholar says that there remains a big gap between the elites and the illiterate in as afar as embracing and understanding such new trends.

“It is indeed true that a lot has changed as a result of technology but how we manage it is very critical. We must keep in mind that not everybody has a Master’s Degree. Many people still rely on culture and superstition which often times contradicts civilization.” Prof. Kayanja who is currently the Chairman Council at Uganda Technology and Management University (UTAMU) said on Monday.

He was officiating at the opening of the 3rd International Conference on ICT Management held at Silver Springs Hotel.

He contested government’s policy to arrest people who do not take their children for immunization against diseases saying instead more sensitization should be done to delink them with cultural beliefs.

“Recently, a man was arrested for refusing to immunize his kid. I asked police officers to let me speak with him which I did.”

“He revealed to me that his grandfather had told him that while immunizing, medics infect children with evil spirits. But I educated him and at the end of our conversation, this man clearly understood and he agreed to immunize his child.”

“Technology is good but we must ensure that it’s applied without creating hostility among the ordinary people,” he added.

He also commented on the trendy manicure among women which he said is a health hazard. According to the scholar, the liquid often used to remove nail polish destroys a layer that protects nails from germ exposure.

The First Instance Division of the East African Court of Justice commenced a four days hearing of oral evidence in Hon. Margaret Nantongo Zziwa’s case against the Secretary General of the East African Community.

Hon. Zziwa alleges the process of her removal from the Office of East African Legislative Assembly Speaker was illegal and an infringement of Articles 53 and 56 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the EAC.

Hon. Zziwa, the then elected Speaker of the EALA was impeached on 19th December 2014, before being replaced by Hon. Daniel Kidega as the new Speaker.

The Clerk of EALA, Mr. Kenneth Madete, appeared in Court pursuant to a court order issued on 6^th May 2015 following the Applicant’s Application to summon him to produce documents in his custody under Rule 56 of the East African Court of Justice which provides for witness summons for witness to give evidence or produce documents.

The Court stated that it was clear that, the Clerk had been called to produce documents only for the record of the Court and not give his opinion or any matters before the Assembly.

Mr. Madete during cross examination by the Applicant’s and the Respondent’s Lawyers, confirmed the documents he had produced in Court were the ones he had been summoned to produce and included the motion for the resolution to remove the Speaker, the report of the Committee on Legal rule and privileges and the hansards of EALA during the proceedings for the removal of Hon. Zziwa.

Judges of the First Instatance Division in court during the session

Hon. Margaret Nantongo Zziwa (the Applicant) appeared in Court to give evidence on her impeachment from the Speakership of EALA, which she alleges was illegal and an infringement of the Treaty for the Establishment of the EAC.

During examination-in-chief by her Lawyer, Mr. Jet Tumwebaze, Hon. Zziwa in her evidence said that she has been a Member of the Assembly since 2006 and was re-elected in 2014.

Responding to what caused her impeachment, Hon. Zziwa stated that the allegations against her included; poor governance and leadership skills, poor time management and laissez faire attitude towards the Assembly responsibilities, the issue of the Speaker being paid house to enable her reside in Arusha but she hardly stays in Arusha, abuse of office such as involving members of her family in office matters, family intervention in the affairs of the Assembly including her husband disruption and being disrespectful to Members of the Assembly, misallocation of resources earmarked for the Assembly plenary to other matters of personal interest such as Global Parliamentary on Habitat (GPH) that utilized the days programmed for the Assembly, not attending the Assembly meetings where she was invited, practicing nepotism, disrespect and intimidation of members of Staff, using media to character assassinate members of the Assembly, being disrespectful to Members of the Parliament, refusal of advice, loss of confidence and trust among others.

She said that once she was served with the motion of removal she responded to the Members’ allegations against her and denied all of them. She also attempted to settle the issue diplomatically including seeking the intervention of the Heads of States in the EAC but her efforts did not succeed.

Hon. Zziwa also said that on 9^th May 2014 the East African Court of Justice gave an interim order in the Application by EALA MP, Hon. Fred Mbidde Mukasa in relation to interpretation of Rule 53 of the EALA rules of procedure and that the Court gave a ruling on 29^th May 2014 that EALA has its rules of procedure and allowed EALA to use them in the removal proceedings.

She also mentioned that on 3rd June 2014, there was a long debate in the Assembly about the motion on the removal of the Speaker which the Members were debating whether it should be tabled or not because the signatures had been removed and the motion was not tabled.

She explained that the Members of the United Republic of Tanzania had withdrawn their signatures and she did not have a new motion with the required signatures and the motion was therefore out of time.

Hon. Zziwa added that according to Rule 9 (2) of EALA rules of procedure on the removal of the Speaker, a motion for the removal of the Speaker shall be signed by at least four members from each Partner State and submitted to the Clerk of the Assembly. She also said that Rule 9 94) provides that the Motion shall be tabled in the Assembly within seven days of its receipt by the Clerk and, the house  shall refer the motion to the legal rules and privileges Committee to investigate and the report of its findings would be tabled before the Assembly for debate.

That the Clerk received the notice on 26^th March 2014 and received the motion on 27^th March 2014 and it was brought to the Assembly on 1^st June 2014 which she claims was out of time.

Hon. Zziwa also said that she received a suspension letter stopping her from exercising functions of the Speaker, signed by thirty two members of the Assembly yet there was no motion to lead to such decision and that she replied to the Clerk of the Assembly objecting to suspension letter explaining that Rule 9 (6) which provides powers to remove the speaker was not complied, but instead, In January 2015 Hon. Zziwa received a letter informing her that she was removed from office of the Speaker of EALA.

Hon. Zziwa closed her evidence by telling the Court that since she was illegally removed from office, she was seeking Court reinstatement and because of the intimidations she went through, she also sought damages in terms of salary, legal costs and compensation as she suffered reputation damage. In total she sought two million dollars (US$2,000,000) in addition to reinstatement.

Hon. Mumbi Ng’aru, EALA Member, gave evidence to the effect that she was very active in resolving the conflict of the illegal removal of Hon. Zziwa and that she attempted to resolve it through the EALA women caucus but the conflict never ended.

Hon. Mumbi Nga’ro swearing to give evidence in favour of the Applicant Hon Zziwa

She added that the allegations against Zziwa were not true and when they met H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to discuss the same issue nothing came out of it. Hon. Mumbi also told Court that while they were in Nairobi for an EALA sitting, she was never informed of the meeting and the house sat and removed the Speaker in her absence. She therefore concluded her evidence by pleading to Court to assist EALA so that such illegality should never happen in future.

The Applicant only had one witness to call apart from herself as the other three were not available due to different reasons as some were not in Arusha, including Hon. Suzan Nakawuki who had requested to give her evidence through video conferencing, but the Court could not allow because of short notice and the Court did not have time go through a standard test to guarantee integrity of the place where she was to give her evidence from.

The hearing of the oral evidence continued for the witnesses of the Respondent (Secretary General).

The matter came before a full bench of five Hon. Judges  of the First Instance Division composed of Honourable  Lady Justice Monica Mugenyi (Principal Judge), Justice Isaac Lenaola (Deputy Principal Judge), Justice Faustin Ntezilyayo, Justice Fakihi A . Jundu and Justice Audace Ngiye in open Court.