The Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) have distanced themselves from a man reported to have been involved in the theft of singer Geoffrey Lutaaya’s car.

The man identified by media yesterday as Capt James Lukwago, the army says, is not and has never been part of them.

The reports claimed the suspect was attached to the National Leadership Institute Kyankwanzi and masterminded the theft of Lutaaya’s Toyota Alphard, registration number UAY 544Q.

The car was later discovered at Mugoya Service Garage in Iganga. According to police, 15 other stolen vehicles were recovered from the same garage and the owners of the garage were arrested to help in investigations.

The army spokesperson Lt Col Paddy Ankunda clarified yesterday that the said Capt Lukwago is not a serving army officer.

“This is to clarify that the UPDF does not have a Captain or any staff anywhere by the said name serving within its ranks. Similarly, National Leadership Institute does not have any staff called James Lukwago,” Ankunda said in a statement.

The army mouthpiece says the suspect could have been an impostor in the UPDF like several others.

“The Public is requested to report, to the security forces, any individuals indulging in crime claiming to be members of the UPDF or anyone suspected to be impersonating to be a soldier.

“The UPDF acts professionally and does not condone criminality within its ranks. It is a constitutional force that respects all the laws governing the country and it has a conscious knowledge that the interests of the people come first.”

President Yoweri Museveni has advised youths to allow Jesus Christ to lead their ways, saying he is the ultimate example that they ought to follow.

“There is no loss in following Jesus Christ. He will guide you through your life and if you stick to him, you will become successful in life,” Museveni said.

The President was speaking Friday evening at the Born Free concert, arguably the biggest gospel music event in the country held at Kati Kati restaurant in Lugogo.

The event that featured three top Zambian godpel artistes, 2 south Africans and a number of Ugandan gospel singers was organized by Power FM Uganda in conjunction with the Usual Suspects Uganda, an event and talent management company.

Museveni addressing revelers at the Born Free Concert

Museveni applauded revelers for choosing to do good and have fun in a clean and Christian way instead of getting wasted in bars. He also advised them against involving in prostitution as that would end their lives.

“Thank you for loving Jesus and for loving the church. You had an option of going to bars but you chose to come and be in the presence of God,” he said.

“The bible, in the book of Ecclesiastes says there is time for everything, this time for you to develop your lives. Don’t get involved in Umalaya.”

He lashed at the western ‘propagandists’ who are recruiting Ugandan youths into Homosexuality which he said is parallel to the African culture and Christian values.

The president thanked Christian youths for refusing to be influenced into homosexuality imploring them to stay clung on to Jesus and to desist from any such influence from westerners.

Also present at the event was first daughter Pastor Patience Rwabogo, who the president said is setting a good example to not only her children but to the whole country.

Museveni with Pr. Rwabogo (R)

Museveni advised parents to train their children to lead the right way saying that “what you teach your children is what they also teach their children.”

The UPDF Chieftaincy of Doctrines boss, Maj. Gen. Pecos Kutesa was cautioned by fellow army Members of Parliament before landing into trouble on Thursday.

Gen Kuteesa has a scheduled appearance before the defense parliamentary committee, over his remarks about cattle theft in northern Uganda, which were deemed by members as careless.

ChimpReports has exclusively learned that the UPDF Caucus sat last month at the Defense headquarters in Mbuya where they brainstormed on how to handle debates in the 10th Parliament.

The closed door sitting according to a source who attended, was chaired by the army Caucus’ Whip Capt. Sarah Lakot who is also the one who designated the generals to different standing and sectoral committees at Parliament.

The meeting, we are told, primarily focused on tutoring the new military representatives to refrain from commenting on sensitive matters at Parliament.

“Members were given warnings against jumping into hot debates. Carefulness was stressed, especially that any of us getting up to speak  should first internalize the consequences,” a source from the group said.

The UPDF MPs also agreed between themselves in the meeting that anything that concerns the army should be handled by the Defense ministers who are politicians.

“There was a verbal agreement that things that concern security and the army should be left to the minister (Defense) to handle.”

Most army MPs usually do more listening during the debates in the plenary than talk, and they only tend to contribute in the committee meetings.

In the 9th Parliament a word was hardly heard from the Deputy Chief of Defense Forces, Lt. Gen. Charles Angina and five other army representatives. Some of them were even rare at Parliament and only the Gen. CDF Katumba Wamala and Gen. Elly Tumwine were active on the floor.

Gen Kutesa however, is proving to be a different breed of army representative, who is more open-minded and flexible like the rest of the conventional parliamentarians.

According to our source, Kutesa was particularly warned at the Mbuya meeting about getting excited into the debate with politicians.

On Thursday while the house was debating the Leader of Opposition in Parliament’s response to President Yoweri Museveni’s State of the Nation Address, Kutesa hopped into the discussion.

A concern had been raised on why the President has never addressed the issue of cows which were stolen from the areas of Lango, Acholi, Teso and Karamojong in the late 1980s.

The excited Gen. Kutesa took the microphone and told the house on record that he saw how cows were taken but he couldn’t tell who took them.

MPs from the affected region got furious, forcing the Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga to order the Defense and Internal Affairs Committee to investigate the General.

Yesterday the Committee Chairperson, Judith Nabakoba told this website that the probe is starting as early as next week.

DRC President Joseph Kabila this Friday traveled to the Rwandan border town of Rubavu where he met with his Rwandan counterpart, Paul Kagame.

The meeting was largely a surprise to many considering that relations between DRC on one hand and Uganda and Rwanda on the other have been frail.

The M23 conflict in Eastern Congo that saw DRC mobilise military support from South Africa, Tanzania and Malawi to fight instead of dialoguing with the rebel force unsettled Museveni and Kagame.

The war affected regional tourism as Uganda and Rwanda have several tourist attraction sites at their borders with Congo.

The situation nearly went out hand with artillery shells of the anti-M23 force hitting Rubavu in Rwanda and Kisoro in Uganda.

Both Museveni and Kagame ordered deployments of artillery equipment in the affected areas, bringing the three countries to the edge of an all-out war.

The defeated M23 rebels fled to Uganda and Rwanda. While some of the former fugitives have returned home, many have refused to leave in fear of their lives.

Before meeting President Kagame, Kabila held talks with Museveni at Mweya Safari Lodge in Kasese. This was the first time since 2012 that Kabila was returning to Uganda. He was last in Uganda at the peak of the M23 conflict.

Kabila’s gesture has revived hopes that the three countries can do more together for the good of their people after years of animosity, hatred, suspicion and counter espionage missions.

Kabila’s father, Laurent Kabila was installed with the support of Museveni and Kagame following a disastrous war that left thousands dead.

Laurent would later fall out with Rwanda before the exit of then DRC Forces’ Chief of Staff, Gen James Kabarebe.

Despite conducting joint military missions to eradicate the genocidal FDLR group in Eastern Congo, Kigali still believed that Kinshasa was not doing enough.

UN investigations also showed collaboration between Congolese generals and FDLR elements in Kivu.

But the talks between Kabila and Kagame have breathed new life into both countries relations.

In Rwanda, Kagame and Kabila were accompanied by delegations that included Alexis Tambwe Mwamba, DRC Minister of Justice, Atama Tabe, DRC Minister of Defence and Martin Kabwelulu, DRC Minister of Mines and Louise Mushikiwabo, Rwandan Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, James Musoni, Rwandan Minister of Infrastructure and Germaine Kamayirese, Rwandan Minister of State in charge of Energy at the Ministry of Infrastructure.

Energy

“The two sides exchanged on several topics regarding mutual interest and agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation, particularly in the areas of cross-border trade and energy, specifically in the extraction of methane gas in Lake Kivu,” reads the joint statement signed by DRC and Rwandan officials.

“It was agreed that the Joint Technical Team will begin its work before the end of August 2016.”

Dissolved within Kivu, which straddles the border of the two countries are about 60 billion cubic meters of methane and 300 billion cubic meters of carbon dioxide.

Warm ties between the two countries would see construction of bigger plants to exploit methane hence expanding household access to power and reduction of environmental hazards.

The first phase of this project in Rwanda is powering three gensets to produce 26 MW of electricity for the local grid. The next phase of this project will deploy nine additional gensets at 75 MW to create a total capacity of over 100 MW for Rwanda.

Uganda government spokesperson, Ofwono Opondo, said in an article this week that, “The DRC which enjoys an observer status seems to have realized that it is being left behind by the progress of the East African Community (EAC) and now wants to join some of the infrastructural investment projects.”

Indeed, at the recent Northern Corridor Ministers’ meeting, DRC representatives expressed their intention to join the infrastructural frameworks.

They further stated that Kabila was in touch with Museveni to ensure their inclusion into the arrangement aimed at resolving infrastructural bottlenecks hindering cross border trade, foreign direct investments, movement of goods and genera; economic growth.

Accordingly, DRC agreed to join the Uganda-Tanzanian oil pipeline, and Uganda to connect a 220kv electricity power line to its east.

Also, a joint technical team on petroleum exploration and production between Uganda and DRC is to be set up within this month.

Security

Regarding cooperation in the area of security, both DRC and Uganda hailed the progress made in line with eradicating negative forces, and also stressed the importance of establishing a strong mechanism for the timely sharing of intelligence.

Officials told ChimpReports that this would help in swift neutralisation of common security threats along the border.

The two sides also committed to “mutual efforts for the revitalization of bilateral relations, including the enhancing of diplomatic relations between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.”

Opondo said the re-demarcation of the border where disputes have been from Arua in the north down to Kasese district was reported to be progressing well.

Nevertheless, it will be recalled that Kabila’s third term bid is facing stiff resistance in his country, with the opposition and Catholic Church calling for his exit.

Bloody riots have previously rocked Kinshasa and other cities with the youth protesting against plans to amend the Constitution to allow Kabila’s stay in power.

Only time will tell if Kabila is wooing Kagame and Museveni in his quest to retain his hold onto power in the politically fragile country recovering from decades of a destructive conflict.

Opondo argued that Africa’s socio-economic transformation demands that there must be stability, democracy and good governance, and “so it so refreshing that its leaders are somehow now beginning to listen to each other, compromising and finding common purpose as was seen in Rwanda during the just concluded AU Summit.”

Middle East Consultants (MEC) Limited, a consultancy and recruitment company in Uganda has Sunday morning sent off a total of 78 youths to work in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Qatar.

According to the MEC Managing Director, Gordon Mugyenyi, jobs have already been reserved for all the 78 that left Entebbe on Sunday morning, to work as security guards. He said that 51 were headed to Qatar’s capital Doha while 27 were headed to UAE.

During the final briefing and sendoff ceremony held at the company’s Muyenga offices, Mr Mugyenyi advised the youths to go and concentrate on what is taking them (to work).

“Do not go and forget where you have come from. Concentrate on what has taken you which for all of you is to work. The conditions maybe a little different from what you have been used to, but we have briefed you thoroughly and are confident you will handle,” he said.

“After you have made your money, don’t forget the families you left behind. Don’t forget the parents and your wives that sacrificed all they had so that you could go.”

Middle East Consultants’ Managing Director Gordon Mugyenyi addressing workers at the Muyenga offices

Mugyenyi also advised parents who had escorted their children not to pile a lot of pressure on them before they can settle down saying that it could cause the child to cut communication with them.

“Parents should allow their children atleast three months so they can settle down before starting to ask them to send money home. If you put your children on pressure, it causes them to change numbers and then you will start thinking your child died or has been harmed.”

Entebbe Airport official checking travel documents of the workers as they signed in for departure

Responding to the claims that Ugandans who are taken to Middle East countries are mistreated and brutalized, he said that those cases are common if the workers do not go under a registered company.

“Those things happen if someone is taken by un recognized companies. Middle East Consultants follows the law and is registered under the ministry of labor.”

He noted that “illegal recruiters give you business and tourist Visas to go and look for a job. At the expiry of the Visa, desperate Ugandans end up in prostitution and being house maids where they are man brutalized.”

He urged the public to differentiate illegal recruiters and licensed companies by seeking advice from the Ministry of Labour.

Joyous youths leaving MEC offices in Muyenga for Entebbe Airport

Allan Taremwa, one of the youths, also leader of the team going to UAE told ChimpReports that he was excited at the opportunity and that he hopes to save enough money to start his own business in Uganda.

“Personally, I have been working as a data clerk at USAID Mbarara but I have been earning a meager salary. This is a chance for me to save enough money and open my own business in Uganda at the end of my contract.”

The MD introducing Allan Taremwa, the leader of the team going to UAE

He said that he has interest in real estates’ management and that he is optimistic he can raise enough money for his startup capital by the end of the two years.

The team going to Qatar was captained by Justus Tugume, a former businessman who hails from Kakiika in Mbarara District.

Justus Tugume (R) is the leader of the team going to Qatar

The excitement of having your job secured abroad. the whole team will work in Qatar and UAE as security guards

MEC Recruitment and vetting officer, Kyalimpa giving the final briefing at MEC offices in Muyenga

St. Mary’s College Rushoroza is engulfed in grief after one of their students was shot dead last night following an a fight over an English Premier League game.

Allan Ntunguka, a Senior Four Arts student at the school who hails from Ikumba Sub County in Rubanda district was shot during a scuffle between students and police.

Chimpreports has heard that during the English Premier League match between Arsenal and Liverpool at around 6:30, the S3 students entered the TV room and tried to hijack the front seats which were already occupied by other students.

A fight erupted.

The teacher on duty when things got out of control decided to call in the police to calm the situation. The police while firing in the air accidentally shot Ntunguka in the shoulder.

He was rushed to Rushoroza Health Centre IV, bleeding profusely and the facility could not handle him. He was immediately referred to Kabale Regional Referral hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Elly Maate, the Kigezi region police spokesperson says that police has commenced investigations into the matter.

Maate identified the officer who shot the student as PC Job Musawo number 59592, attached to Rushoroza police post in southern division Kabale Municipality.

After the incident, Musawo took off and police has launched a man hunt. The case has been registered at Kabale police station under file number SD42/14/08/2016.

The Democratic Republic of Congo is observing a three-day mourning period following the massacre of 36 civilians at the hands of Ugandan Islamist rebel movement, Allied Democratic Forces (ADF).

ADF militia on Saturday stormed Rwangoma Township with machetes, slaughtering people who were at their homes or gardens.

Women had their throats slit in one of the most horrific attacks in recent years.

North Kivu Governor, Julien Paluku said 22 men and 14 women were butchered in the raid.

The shocking incident came high on the heels of President Joseph Kabila’s trip Uganda and Rwanda where he met with his counterparts, Yoweri Museveni and Paul Kagame.

ChimpReports understands Ugandan leaders expressed their concerns about ADF operations in Kivu before receiving assurance about DRC’s commitment to eliminate the rebel group.

According to DRC Defence Minister Crispin Atama Tabe who had accompanied Kabila to Uganda and Rwanda, ADF were responding to the government forces’ attack on their base at Mwalika.

He postponed his trip to Kinshasa, staying in Goma to intensify investigations into the attack and pursue the ADF remnants.

“The ADF have resorted to acts of terrorism, just like Boko-Haram,” said Atama.

“They are tactfully dodging our armed forces before wreaking havoc to civilians. They have been defeated in many encounters with our forces,” he added during a press briefing in Goma on Sunday.

ADF’s Supreme Commander Jamil Mukulu is in detention at Uganda police special operations headquarters in Nalufenya, Jinja.

How it happened

Survivors of the ADF attack said the militia raided Rwangoma at around 6:00pm.

The militants were wearing DRC armed forces’ military uniform but lacked badges.

Using machetes, they hacked to death anyone they came across. Women who were attending to their gardens were beheaded.

The killings sparked outrage in Beni, with civilians taking to the streets in protest.

The demonstration was eventually dispersed by anti-riot police.

General Mbangu Machita, the Commander of Operations Sukola 1 which is aimed at eliminating rebel movements in Eastern DRC, promised that government soldiers would receive new uniform to avoid duplication by the militants.

He further pledged to increase deployments in the affected areas, urging civilians to provide intelligence to the army.

DRC’s Interior Minister Evariste Boshab is expected in Goma today as the judiciary plans to hold a public trial of ADF militants arrested recently.

The hearing commences Tuesday, with several ADF combatants expected to face military judges.

Governor Paluku warned government would take stronger steps to get rid of militias in Beni.

Police has started investigating a fatal accident in which a Police officer killed a cyclist and injured another person in Pallisa District in Eastern Uganda.

Police Deputy Publicist Polly Namaye has identified the police officer as Assistant Superintendent of Police Aleper Thomas, the O/C Station Agule Police station in Pallisa district.

Alepar reportedly lost control of his vehicle, a Subaru Forester registration number UAU 812F, hitting a bicycle rider and killing him instantly while the passenger was injured and rushed to Mbale hospital for emergency treatment.

The accident occurred on 13th August 2016 at Kamuge village, Kibales County, Pallisa District. The deceased has been identified as Orau Constant 24 years, a resident of Kaguya village, Kamugein Pallisa district.

The on the other hand injured has been identified as David Agii, a 13 year old pupil and a resident of Odeperio village in Kibale sub county, Pallisa district.

Nsamaye says the The Police officer too was injured in the accident and was rushed to Mbale hospital for emergency treatment.

A case has been opened up against him under reference 64/2016 of Pallisa Police station.

Crested Cranes sharp shooter Sandra Nabweteeme has landed in USA ready to join South Western Oklahoma State University where she was offered a talent based scholarship. She is expected to take Mechanical engineering.

The university based in Weatherford, named Sandra among the 23 to guide the team in next season’s women university league set to kick off on 1st September.

Their first game will be against the University of Central Missouri at the Swosu Soccer field in Oklahoma.

Sandra has been lethal in the local fronts where she led Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC to a double league triumph in 2014/5 and 2015/6 season.

“We would like to wish our captain Sandra Nabweteme success on her journey to Southwestern Oklahoma State University for further studies,” an official message from Kawempe partly read.

“She has been a very outstanding player for all her life with us and she will always be remembered and always cherished by the Club.”

She has scooped the golden boot twice scoring 17 in the first and 23 last season. Sandra was crowned the female player of the year 2015.

Profile
Sandra has earned six national caps since 2011 scoring six goals

She began her football journey in 2005 in Nateete before joining Titans soccer academy a year later. Sandra moved to Proline soccer academy until 2010 when Kawempe Muslims came calling.

One of the lawyers representing the 32 people accused of masterminding the killing of Muslim clerics in various areas throughout the country has said the state is secretly preparing fresh charges for them, relating to Allied Democratic Forces.

Over 30 people were arrested from Uganda and abroad and charged with terrorism and murder in relation to the 2014 and 2015 killings of Muslim clerics including Sheikh Mustafa Bahiga, (Bwebajja) Sheikh Abdhukhadir  Ductor Muwaya (Mayuge) and Sheikh Hassan Kirya(Bweyogerere)

The suspects include Sheikh Yunus Kamoga, Sheikh Siraje Kawooya, Abdulsalam, Abdulhamid Sematimba, Rashid Jingo, Twaha Sekkitto, Yusuf Kakande alias Abdallah, Sheikh Murta Mudde Bukenya, Kakim Kinene Muswaswa, Muzamilu Kasawuli, Arafa Serunjoji, Badru Bukenya, Alex Okot, Joseph Olanya, and Amir Kinene.

Others are Charles Okidi, Sheikh Fahad Kalungi, Pte Arajab Mubajje, Aisha Nakasibante,  Issa Matanda,  Abdul Ratif Byamukama, Asadu Ssemwongerere, Yusuf Sentamu, Solomon Kibirige, Safiyi Wadwali,  Swafi Shafi, Hamuza Kasirye, , Robert Bampikye, Muhamadi Kalodo, Musa Isa Mubiru, Ismail Ssentongo and Iga George William.

However on Monday, Twaha Mayanja, one of the defense lawyers told the pre-trial hearing session at the High Court in Kampala that he has been informed by the suspects that they are scheduled to appear before the Chief Magistrates Court to be charged afresh.

“I have been informed that 16  of the 32 suspects are to be charged afresh of  aiding and abetting ADF at the Nakawa Chief Magistrates Court on Wednesday,17,August,”Mayanaja told court.

“The suspects have been notified through production warrants but their lawyers know nothing formal about it.”

He said that there was no need of charging them afresh since the same charges are contained in the earlier indictment; stressing it was wrong for the state to continue violation of his clients’ rights.

“We (defense lawyers) see it as a violation of their rights with ill motives by the state.”

The justice Duncan Gaswaga however advised the lawyer to formally complain the matter to the Director of Public Prosecutions before it is too late.

The King of Buganda Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II has sounded a call to government to enact laws that are more deterrent to child sacrifice, which has lately been on the rise in especially the central (Buganda) region.

Kabaka Mutebi said on Monday that time had come for these horrendous  acts to be made more risky for those who are involved, largely for the sake of making quick money.

Several cases have been reported in past few months of children who have been gruesomely behaded by witch doctors in ritual sacrifices.

In a few districts in the central region, a number of local government leaders have tried to take action including closing of traditional healers’ shrines, as a way of combating this trend.

While addressing the 24^th Kingdom Lukiiko this morning, Kabaka Mutebi said it was time for government to take more decisive action.

“Lately we have been hearing of people who abduct young children and children who are sacrificed as well as parents who mistreat their children,” he said.

“Time has come for the central government to punish with tough laws, those who are involved in actions that violate the rights of children.

“It would be better if the world comes to know that there are tough consequences for those caught in such acts.”

He Kabaka went ahead to call upon parents, to be more mindful about the condition of the children they leave at home as well as the people they leave them to.

Child sacrifice has often been associated with people’s desperate efforts to earn a living –the desire for instant wealth on the part of the client and greed on the part of the witchdoctor

Normal sacrifices demanded by witch doctors from clients tend to include animals such as chickens or goats. But when such sacrifices fail to make the client prosper instantly ‘the spirits’ demand human sacrifices.

Young children are often the victim because they are relatively easy to abduct.

Opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has warned President Museveni against single handedly appointing the new team to head the country’s Electoral Commission (EC).

The party’s spokesperson Ibrahim Semujju Nganda told the media on Monday in Najjanankumbi that the country “has suffered a lot of election irregularities all streaming from a single man’s commission which could only serve that man’s interests.”

“As you are aware, the term of office of the existing Electoral Commission (EC)’s Commissioners, Chairperson and Vice is ending in November save for the Secretary to the Commission, Sam Rwakojo whose term ended much earlier,” Nganda said.

“We want to remind Mr. Museveni under his constitutional mandate that it will not be business as usual, we have had a struggle and at least everybody now agrees that we must have an independent Electoral Commission,” Nganda noted

Nganda says the EC Chairperson, Badru Kiggundu and his colleagues are not leaving the Electoral Commission with good pairs of clean hands.

He cited the recent Parliamentary elections, where up to 25 seats have so far been annulled in court petitions.

Nganda says the all the past commissions from Stephen Akabwai have been there to “preside over elections where Museveni is already the winner.”

As the president prepares to unveil the new commissioners, Nganda says he must not ignore the proposals that were tabled by the Interparty Platform for Dialogue (IPOD) which include; that the number of commissioners of the EC must be increased from 7 to 9 to serve a term of seven years non-renewable.

The IPOD also proposed that the Judicial Service Commission should appoint a selection committee which would identify suitable candidates as members of EC from which the President will pick as is the case with the Judges.

IPOD also proposed that the appointment process should be more transparent and inclusive where the committee invites political parties, civil societies, professional bodies and the public to nominate persons to be appointed to head the commission. The names of the nominated candidates should be published.

“Before a new EC is constituted, there must be a consultative process that will include all Ugandans and the process would then determine the criteria; so we don’t expect Mr. Museveni to just announce names of commissioners, we are not ready to continue that way.”

Nganda added that the party is spearheading proposals to amend the provisions in the constitution which are already before Parliament and will be soon tabled for the relevant amendments.

By David Oduut in Mbale

Scores of Gen Kale Kayihura’s supporters have today stormed Mbale streets, calling for a ‘presidential intervention’ in the planned prosecution of the police boss.

Gen Kayihura was taken to court by a team of private lawyers blaming him for the beating of opposition strongman Dr Kizza Besigye’s supporters.

In their petition to the Resident District Commissioner’s office, the protestors demanded that the case should be dropped.

Led by Musa Kasaja, former Speaker Industrial Division in Mbale Municipality, the protestors mostly boda-boda and business women within Mbale municipality led a procession from the office of Mbale district NRM office at Nkokonjeru Terrace to Mbale regional block.

Many carried placards reading, “Kayihura our Hero,” “We still need Gen Kayihura Paka Last” and “Kayihura is a man of the people.”

Protesters said Kayihura is a man of the people

In unison, the protestors chanted, “Kayihura has No case,” bringing business to a standstill for close to 20 minutes along Mbale-Kumi road and along Republic Street in Mbale Municipality.

The development comes against the backdrop of last week’s protest at Makindye Magistrate’s Court where Kayihura’s supporters expressed opposition to the charge.

in Mbale, protesters were disappointed upon realising that none of the president’s representatives in the district was available at office to receive their petition.

“We want our issue to reach the president but it is sad that his representatives at the district are pouring water on our demands,” said Susan Kasana, one of the IGP’s supporters.

Another protestor, Yunus Kalema, a boda boda motor cyclist in Mbale town said the people of Bugisu have been concerned by the way police chief Kale Kayihura is being wrongly accused yet he has been successfully shouldering one of the most demanding jobs in the country.

“The people who allegedly accused General Kayihura of beating them have already said they were never beaten. These so called lawyers have a hidden motive,” Kalema noted.

Speaking to the media, the protest leader Musa Kasaja, said their support towards the IGP is in line with respecting police as an important government institution.

“As Ugandans, we cannot just stand and watch when the IGP is being targeted. And as the head of a law and order implementing institution ours is to say no to those that want to take advantage to ruin the entire police as an institution,” Kasaja explained to the media.

President Yoweri Museveni has directed all government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to purchase furniture from Uganda Prisons Service, Chimp Corps report.

“Uganda Prisons makes good furniture and am directing all government agencies to purchase furniture from them,” he said.

The president gave the directive while officiating at the pass out of 1548 prison warders and wardresses held at Kololo independence grounds on Monday afternoon.

The Uganda Prisons Service (UPS), alongside its mandate of providing safe, secure, and humane custody of offenders, also provides extra services to the inmates including rehabilitation programs, Agriculture and vocational studies.

In the vocational studies, inmates are trained in Metal work and Fabrication, Art and Craft, Tailoring, carpentry, Performing Arts among many others.

The President appreciated the UPS for the work they are doing, saying that “the primary function of the UPS is to provide correctional service and it’s doing very well.”

He further lauded UPS for taking up his order on cotton production & seed multiplication. The UPS was earlier allocated Shs 9billion to grow cotton to enable the country live to its pledge of abolishing importation of second hand clothes.

According to the UPS commissioner general, Dr. Johnson Byabashaija, the service targets to cultivate 2500 acres of cotton to produce more than 60,000 bales of cotton in the first financial year.

Museveni implored the new warders and wardresses to take good care of themselves advising them to refrain from any acts that would put their lives at risk.

“Look after your discipline and don’t go to the bars. Avoid alcohol and ‘umalaya’, Keep healthy.”

Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has advised the Judiciary to rise up and save its sovereignty that is under attack. The call follows the recent protests that stalled business at Makindye Court where Pro-Kayihura supporters were seen protesting against prosecution of the Inspector General of Police (IGP).

Last week, the country was saddened seeing a group of Kale Kayihura’s supporters shouting and rising ply cards calling upon Court not to proceed with the his prosecution  since ‘he has no case to answer’.

This act has since been condemned by many politicians, civil society organisations and the general public accusing the IGP for hijacking the independence and sovereignty of the judiciary.

To this, the Chief Justice Bart Katureebe came out and condemned as not only being disruptive but also unacceptable.

“Whoever is mobilising their supporters to come and disrupt court proceedings should stop,” warned Katureebe while addressing a press conference at his office in Kampala last week.

However, according to the FDC, the caution by Chief Justice is not enough and have demanded that the judiciary should hold the IGP accountable for Court contempt to avoid a similar action being done by any other member of the public.

“As a party we are not surprised but concerned with the invasion and takeover of Court by Kayihura group last week. The way these individuals were operating and moving around, they were doing this in conjunction with Police which was offering them protection,” said the FDC Spokesperson, Ibrahim Semujju Nganda on Monday.

Nganda noted that this wasn’t the first time Police attacked Court adding that the last time Col. Kizza Besigye went to High Court to process bail application; police took over all the roads around court and even deployed Military Police around Court.

Nganda warned that if the Judiciary doesn’t act, the said activities can only lead to violence,

“Kayihura is only leading this country to mob justice, suppose tomorrow I have a court case and mobilize all my supporters to disorganize Court proceedings; the judiciary must come out and take a punitive action against the IGP since he is not above the law, because if you allow him today, tomorrow another person will also mobilize people to takeover court.”

“You can’t be a temple of justice then people come and walk over you and the best you can do is just come out to condemn; the judiciary must take actions which are provided for within the law including holding the IGP for contempt of Court.”

In her response, the Deputy Police Spokesperson, Polly Namaye called upon FDC to understand that there are several ingredients that are required for one to be held for Contempt of Court advising that it’s not the work of the opposition party and neither Police to advise Court on what they should do.

“The public can testify that it wasn’t police that was protesting and our presence at Court was to offer safety of persons and property which we did very well,” Namaye told ChimpReports on Monday.

“We did our work as required and we can’t stop politicians from politicizing; we didn’t stop anybody from accessing Court and ensured that every one left Court premises safely.”

A Group of lawyers that dragged the Inspector General of Police Gen Kale Kayihura to court have Monday reiterated that contrary to the views of certain sections of the population, their case is not politically motivated.

The lawyers emphasized that no political leader motivated them to take the IGP to court to answer to alleged police brutality.

The lawyers under their umbrella body the Network for Public Interest Lawyers (NEPTIL) dragged Gen Kayihura together with seven of his top commanders to the Makindye Magistrates Court to respond to the accusations that the force was persecuting opposition supporters.

Kayihura who was expected in the court last week did not show up, and instead hundreds of his supporters stormed the court premises angrily protesting against the court case.

The lawyers under NEPTIL while addressing press on Monday at Makerere University stressed that their case against the IGP has no political bearing.

Following the resentment that was shown by Kayihura’s supporters at the court, the lawyers felt the urge to clear the air.

According to Patricia Atim the senior clinical instructor at NETPIL, this group is made up private prosecutors and is not in any way attached to any political party.

The private prosecutors under NETPIL she said are interested in the case because of Article 50 of the Ugandan constitution which stipulates that any person or organization is allowed to bring action against the violation of another person or groups’ human rights.

The case was on 15th Monday before the chief magistrate court, pending a ruling on whether or not the DPP can take up prosecution in accordance with its mandate as stipulated in Article 120 of the 1995 Constitution and section 13 of the Torture act.

The NETPIL lawyers asked the courts of law to do their work so that people can get justice and trust in them too.

Having been granted permission to take over the case, the layers urged the DDP to act in the interest of the public, bearing in mind the need to prevent abuse of legal processes.

“We also appeal to the public to appreciate the initiative of the private prosecutors as one seeking the protection of the rights of all Ugandans and also further appeal to the politicians to allow for a peaceful legal process to meet the end of justice” said Atim.

The Female Members of Parliament under their umbrella body Uganda Women Parliamentary
Association (UWOPA) together with a number of women rights organizations have joined hands to cause the resumption and possible passing of contentious Marriage and Divorce Bill.

The leadership of UWOPA under their Chairperson, Monica Amoding convened at Parliament on Monday afternoon with the top representatives from Action for Women in development (ACFODE), Center for Women in Governance (CEWIGO), Women Democracy Network (WDN-U) and Forum for Women in Democracy (FOWODE).

The visibly determined legislators and activists told journalists that they have finalized plans to reach to the Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga who is also an active UWOPA member, to fix the Bill among the businesses to be handled this year.

According to the above enlightened ladies, the Bill is required at this point to address several challenges women are facing mainly in relationships.

The UWONET Chairperson, Ritah Aciro stressed that the national assembly should also pass the Sexual Offenses Bill to curtail the sex related offenses which according to her are on the increase.

“Parliament should prioritize and quickly pass the Sexual Offenses Bill to control and in fact stop the ever increasing related sex offenses that women are always the victims of,” she said.

Ms. Aciro also wants the remaining hot 155 clauses of the Marriage and Divorce Bill to be debated and passed.

“The 155 clauses in the Marriage and Divorce Bill are being taken as turbo and are the ones delaying the whole process should be retabled, exhausted and passed.”

The Marriage and Divorce Bill was tabled in the 9^th Parliament by the Justice and Constitutional Affairs minister, Gen. Kahinda Otafire. MPs were sent back to their constituencies to consult with their respective electorates on the merits and demerits of the Bill before passing it.

The largely conservative rural voters disagreed with several clauses of the Bill that they say contravene cultural values.

The Bill was later shelved and always taken as one of the toughest items.

Early this year during the first conference of the newly elected female MPs at Hotel Africana, Kampala, the legislators vowed to make sure the Bill goes through in this 10^th Parliament.

The Bill aims at empowering women in marriage and protecting their interests. Cohabitation for months shall be taken as marriage if the Bill is passed and the woman will be entitled to sharing the family wealth in case of divorce.

The women rights activists added that the local council authorities should also be sensitized and trained to deal with the sex related crimes that are always take as untouchable items.

Ms. Amoding said there is a backlog of cases in courts due to the absence of marriage and divorce law and Parliament should hurry to pass it.

The Minister for finance, Matia Kasaija is calling on religious leaders to preach ethics and integrity among esecially civil servants and also guide Christians to have enough food security in their homes.

Minister Kasaija explained during the weekend that the word of God alone to Christians is not enough unless they have enough food in their homes.

He said some children are suffering from kwashiorkor because of poor feeding as parents lack enough food.

Kasaija made the remarks on Sunday while at the thanksgiving mass of Rev.Fr. Baguma Andrew upon being ordained priest in Rukindo Village in Kibaale town Council Kibaale District.

The Minister warned at the event that corruption among civil servants and politicians is caused by lack of integrity and ethics; and thus encouraged religious leaders to ensure that they always remind civil servants and politicians about the need for integrity and ethics at work.

Kanungu residents have threatened to stage mass protests against poor road infrastructure in the district.

The outcry is being led by Dixon Kagurusi Ampumuza, the former Kinkiizi West MP contestant.

Kagurusi while addressing the media in Kihihi town council Kanungu district on Monday said the fights in awarding tenders between UNRA and local district leadership have led to the delays in the projects’ commencement.

Kagurusi put on notice the UNRA leadership, saying that if no action is seen, he will mobilize people to walk from Kanungu to State House Entebbe to show the president their discontent to the President.

President Yoweri Museveni during 2011 campaigns promised the people of Kanungu to tarmac the Rukungiri-Ishasha-Kanungu road but the project has since stalled.

Kagurusi says they have over the years been reminding government about the road which was surveyed some time back but nothing more followed. .

On May 7, police in Kihihi arrested Kagurusi and 20 others who were protesting the delayed construction of the Rukungiri Kanungu road for illegal demonstration.

They had planned to trek a distance of 40 kilometers between Kihihi and Kanungu town councils before the police intercepted them.

The protesters carried placards attacking President Yoweri Museveni for failing to honor his pledge to upgrade the road to tarmac.

The government through the Internal Affairs ministry has described as unfortunate the protests at the Makindye Chief Magistrates Court by a group of people loyal to the Inspector General of Police, Gen.Kale Kayihura last week.

Ugly scenes were on Wednesday witnessed at the Makindye court as people with placards stormed the court demanding that the police boss should not be tried over the brutality meted out to Dr.Kizza Besigye supporters.

Addressing journalists on Tuesday morning, the Internal Affairs Minister (under which the police falls) Hon. Jeje Odongo said the unlawful actions by the supporters were uncalled for and should be condemned by every Ugandan.

“We regret the unfortunate incident as interference to the constitutional duty of courts and judicial officer. It was an unlawful limitation on the enjoyment of the rights and freedoms of others as enshrined under article 43 of the constitution,” Gen.Odongo told a news conference at the media center.

“Government regrets the above incident and will take measures to ensure they are not repeated again.”

The Internal Affairs minister noted that there have been similar incidents in the past which he said should never happen again. He stressed the need to uphold the constitutional role and independence of the judiciary.

The police force moments after the court incident, came out and condemned the actions of the IGP supporters, but stressed that these were in their right to express their feelings.

Police Brutality

Gen. Odongo also lashed out at police for the brutality meted out on a group of supporters who were following FDC’s Dr. Kizza Besigye stressing it was uncalled for by the law enforcement officers.

He noted that the constitutional role of police is to protect citizens, preserve law and order and prevention on top of detection of crime other than terrorizing members of the public as exhibited.

“The Ministry of Internal Affairs does not condoned or support the unlawful use of force against civilians and should be condemned in all possible ways,” he said.

He however said the police force has in the past executed their duties professionally urging the public to distinguish the few isolated incidents and give credit to the law and enforcement officers.

The police force has since subjected the police officers implicated in the said brutality as well as their commanders to an internal court trial.