Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) has Wednesday presented before Parliament more contractors that have been illegally receiving payments from the Authority.

The list presented to the Committee of Commissions on Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) revealed that five other companies have been illegally receiving payments from the authority without doing any work.

This follows earlier revelations that UNRA had paid over Sh.22bn to a ghost company, which prompted the committee to order for due diligence in all running contracts.

The list comprising of five companies that were presented to legislators by the UNRA Executive Director Allen Kagina revealed that some Chinese Contractors that were awarded contracts were not the ones that have been receiving payment.

Shengi Engineering Construction (Group) Co. Ltd of Shengi Oilfield signed a contract for works on Kyenjojo-Kabwoya Road but UNRA has been paying Shengi Engineering Construction (Group) Company Uganda Limited.

The Authority signed a contract with China Harzone Industry Corp Ltd- China to work on bridges across the country but payments were being made to China Harzone Industry Corp (Uganda).

Another China Railway Seventh Group Company Ltd was awarded contract to carry out construction on Kamwenge Fort Portal Road but UNRA has been paying China Railway Seventh Group Company Uganda Ltd.

Even when High Court is making investigations to solve the mess at the famous Mukono-Katosi-Kyetume Road, the efforts seem to be far from over.

Chongqing International Construction Corporation was contracted to carry out works on Acholibur-Musingo Road but UNRA has been paying China Chongqing International Construction Corporation Uganda.

SBI International Holding AG which replaced Eutaw construction company for Katosi road it payments were rather made to SBI International Holding AG (Uganda).

When asked if the companies mentioned are the same, UNRA Legal Officer, Titus Kamya revealed that most of them had received powers of attorney from their parent companies.

This was opposed by COSASE Vice chairperson Anita Among, that reminding him that in earlier investigations it was revealed that the powers of attorney were forged.

The former President of the Republic of Tanzania, H.E Benjamin William Mkapa has said that the Inter-Burundi dialogue remains a top priority for the East African Community.

Mkapa made was hosting EALA Speaker, Rt. Hon. Daniel F. Kidega who had paid a courtesy call the Facilitator of the Dialogue, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Discussions centred on peace and security in the region with H.E. Benjamin William Mkapa ascertaining the region had no option but to ensure tranquil is sustained for its progress and development.

H.E. Benjamin William Mkapa reiterated the need for the Partner States and the Community to stand by each other and to harness the strengths in order for the bloc to progressively move forward.

H.E. Mkapa said the Inter-Burundi dialogue remained a priority of the EAC, stating his intention to separately meet in the coming week with the Chair of the Summit of EAC Heads of State, H.E. Dr John Pombe Joseph Magufuli and the Mediator of the Inter-Burundi Dialogue, President of the Republic of Uganda, H.E. Yoweri Museveni for further consultations.

The Facilitator, H.E. Benjamin William Mkapa expressed hope that the Dialogue process would bring all Burundians to a common understanding that will result in peace, democracy and prosperity in the country.

On his part, the EALA Speaker said that the EAC had a fundamental role to ensure sustenance of peace in all the Partner States.  He remarked that Burundi was showing signs of tranquility, but added that there was increasing need to re-integrate all its citizens.

The Speaker reiterated that one of the issues that underpin integration is that of finding solutions to the problems that may bedevil the Partner States, which he termed as “part of enhancing the bonds of sisterhood”.

He lauded the Summit of EAC Heads of State for recently directing that additional resources geared towards the Inter-Burundi Dialogue be availed. He informed H.E. Benjamin William Mkapa the Assembly was eager and keen to debate and approve a Supplementary Budget on the same.

The Speaker said EALA would also dispatch a team of Members from two Committees, Committee on Trade and Investments and that of Regional Affairs and Conflict Resolution to the border of Burundi and Rwanda to investigate on claims of restriction of goods and movement of persons at the border-point.

The regional tourism ministries are set to participate in the World Travel Market day that is scheduled in London from 7^th to 9^th November.

Under the Joint Tourism Marketing Community initiative; Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya will exhibit jointly at the coming WTM day as a way of promoting tourism  together as a region.

“We have been going every year as a country, but this time we are going as a region. The region now needs a bigger market in that if a tourist leaves Kenya they come to Uganda then Rwanda” the Minister of State for Tourism Wildlife and Antiquities Hon Geoffrey Kiwanda Ssuubi said yesterday.

While addressing the media at the Uganda Media Center on Tuesday, Hon Kiwanda said that this year’s exhibition is going to be unique because of the preparatory work that has been done by the East African Tourism Platform.

“As l speak, a team is already in the UK road shows with UK tour operators going around the major cities to sell Uganda as a tourist destination,” he said.

“Over 20 Ugandan tour operators and government agencies will participate in the exhibition both from the diaspora and our own locals”

WTM London has been in existence for the last 4 decades and is the leading global event for the travel industry to meet industry professionals and conduct business deals through its industry network. This year 182 countries will attend.

EALA has commenced the third round of sensitization in the Partner States with legislators targeting various stakeholders in outreach.

The sensitization activities, carried out by the EALA local Chapters in the Partner States, commenced on October 28^th, 2016, and shall run over the next ten days.  The sensitization is anchored on the theme: “EAC Integration Agenda: Accessing the gains.”

The sensitization programmes target Parliamentarians, youth groups, representatives of the business community and local government authorities. Other groups include government officials, students and media in the respective Partner States.

In Rwanda, the EALA Chapter is scheduled to tour the Tanzania International Container Terminal Services (TICTS) Liaison Office as well as the Rwanda Standards Board to hold discussions with the stakeholders.

Also on the cards are visits to the Nemba One Stop Border Post on the Rwanda/Burundi border as well as a tour to the Rusumo One Stop Border Post bordering Rwanda and Tanzania and at Gatuna on the Rwanda/Uganda frontier.

The Uganda Chapter on its part, has a date with students at the Kyambogo University on Wednesday this week and later on with representatives of the Chamber of Commerce.

The Charpter shall also visit the Uganda Heart Institute which is an EAC Centre of Excellence and hold public hearings on four Bills before the House, according to a Program availed to the Public Relations Office.

The Bills are the EAC Gender Equality and Development Bill, 2016, EAC Prohibition of Female and Genital Mutilation Bill, 2016, the EAC Whistle Blower Protection Bill, 2016 and the EAC Retirement Benefits for Specified Heads of Organs Bill, 2016.

In Burundi, the EALA Chapter was expected to commence their activities with courtesy calls on the President of the Burundi National Assembly and the Minister for EAC Affairs before heading to Muyinga Province.

There, the Chapter will meet with the Governor then proceed to the Kobero One Stop Border Post. Business communities living at the border are expected to benefit from a visit where discussions on the benefits of integration shall take centre stage.

The EALA Burundi Chapter is then heading to Ngozi Province to meet with stakeholders.  It shall also take the opportunity to hold public hearings on Bills before the House.

The Chapter in Tanzania also commenced the sensitization activities with a tour of the Immigration Department in Dar es Salaam.

The program also includes a courtesy call on the Chama Cha Mapinduzi Secretary General and EALA Speaker Emeritus, Rt Hon Abdulrahman Kinana, as well as sensitisation of different stakeholders in the coastal areas of Dar, Tanga and the environs. The Chapter led by Hon Makongoro Nyerere, will also visit the border post of HoroHoro, which neighbours that of Lunga-Lunga on the Kenyan side.   The Chapter hopes to undertake joint sensitization with citizens who reside on both sides of the borders.

In Kenya, EALA shall visit Government authorities including courtesy calls on the Immigration department and its parent Ministry of Internal and Co-ordination of National Government. The Members are also expected to touch base with private sector representatives including blue chip conglomerate, Safaricom and the healthcare providers, AAR.

Other consultative meetings with parastatal bodies will include Kenya Maritime Authority, Kenya Civil Aviation Authority, Communications Authority of Kenya and the Kenya Wildlife Service.A number of consultations will be held with regards to the pending Bills in the House.

This is the third phase of the outreach programme following a successful phases held in the Partner States in April and June 2016.  The activities hope to sensitise EAC citizens on the overall integration process and to promote liaison with key stakeholders in the process.

The outreach programmes also hope to keep the EAC populace informed on the role of EALA in the integration process and to enhance interaction between the Private Sector and the Civil Society.

Sensitization is a key component of EALA’s work.  The EALA Strategic Plan (2013-2018) envisages a people-centered approach to widening and deepening of the integration agenda.

A dark cloud hovered over St John’s Church Kamwokya, Kampala as friends and relatives gathered to pay their last respects to Shamira Nyangoma.

At the age of 25, Nyangoma succumbed to a brain tumour at Nsambya Hospital on Wednesday morning.

Two caskets – one for Shamira and her unborn child, lay before a tearful gathering as speaker after speaker praised the deceased’s special attributes.

Shamira’s mother, Grace, said this was her saddest life.

“She never gave me hard time. Her studies were smooth. She was an obedient person. Her death has torn me apart,” said Grace as the audience sobbed.

“I asked myself why God chose to take her life. Our family believed in the Muslim faith. We all took the Christian life including Shamira. It’s because of God’s power that I can stand here to address you,” she added.

Commonly known among her peers as Whammy, Shamira was expecting her second child with hubby Ambrose Nampwera when she was admitted at Nsambya Hospital.

“When Ambrose called me, I went to be by her side. I was hoping that God would save her life. All my trust lay in God. We thought she was struggling with pregnancy-related illness,” recalled Grace.

“However, one part of her body would be paralysed. She vomited a lot. I was suspicious,” wept the deceased’s mom.

Shamira Nyangoma

The deceased was so optimistic to see her unborn child. The decead’s twin brother was speechless; breaking down during his eulogy.

“She was so special to me and my family,” cried Shamira’s broher.

The deceased’s sister recounted fasting and praying for Shamira in vain.

Friends described Shamira as jolly, trustworthy, friendly and a woman with a “Wonderful personality.”

Hubby speaks

Nampwera recalled waking up at 5:00am today. “It was an empty bed; an empty house,” mourned the widower.

He described her as “my spirit, my inspiration.” He said Shamira died of an incurable brain tumour.

“Doctors said they could not operate her. She called me saying take care of Emmy (daughter). “I am dying'”, recalled Nampwera.

He further revealed that Shamira was in coma for seven days. She later recovered for sometime before being taken back to ICU where she was pronounced dead.

“She was my rock. When I wasn’t sure of what to do; she would help me find it,” mourned Nampwera.

The deceased will be laid to rest in Bumbaire, Bushenyi on Friday.

The Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC) has dismissed as “misguiding and malicious” an internal memo leaked on social media yesterday, calling upon workers to lay down their tools on Friday this week in protest of delayed salaries.

The strong worded memo also attacked the leadership of the national broadcaster and suggested that some of the top officers there had resigned and others were planning to, among them the managing director David Agaba.

The writers of the memo threatened to attack fellow employees who do not join in the sit down strike, and destroy their vehicles.

READ ALSO: UBC Management In Trouble for Squandering Remittances to NSSF

“If we do not act now, these thieves are going to throw us out this time,” the workers were urged.

The National broadcaster’s MD Mr Agaba however, has come out to clarify on the said impending strike, advising the workers to ignore the call. He also dismissed as lies, reports that he too was planning to resign from his office.

“The so called impending strike cannot be mooted by a well wisher who knows where we have come from and the positive strides being made to improve our revenue generation,” he said in a statement.

“I call upon everyone to continue performing their tasks and to remain calm, talk to those who might be the cause of the negative rumour mill to give progressive initiatives a chance.”

Mr Agaba said the UBC management is aware that the workers have been paid their October and part of September salaries, but promised that this was being rectified “in the due course.”

“Much obliged for your understanding and patience, we are looking at various avenues of raising finances to make good on the outstanding balances.”

Recently, members of parliament suggested closure of UBC, after it emerged that the company had not been paying its workers benefits to the National Social Security Fund as required by law.

The East African Community (EAC) Secretariat, the European Union (EU), and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) jointly organized a high-level conference entitled “Regional Integration in the EAC: Making the Most of the Common Market on the Road to a Monetary Union” in Arusha, Tanzania on October 31–November 1, 2016.

Discussions focused on progress in establishing Customs Union and Common Market so far, steps for strengthening them, and the prerequisites for an effective transition to East African Monetary Union (EAMU).

The conference brought together Finance Ministers and Ministers in charge of regional cooperation, Central Bank Governors, other senior policymakers, regional capital markets regulators, academics, civil society, and private sector leaders from across EAC member countries, as well as senior representatives from international financial institutions and other monetary unions. Policymakers of the EAC region reaffirmed their commitment to build a strong economic and monetary union.

Participants assessed the current state and pace of economic integration since the inception of the Customs Union in 2005 and the Common Market in 2010. Participants noted considerable progress towards a single entry visa, processing times at ports, and removal of internal tariffs.

As indicated in the second EAC Common Market Scorecard 2016 which evaluates Partner States’ compliance to the free movement of capital, services, and goods, private sector representatives in particular underlined the need for further progress in the areas of non-tariff barriers, rules of origin, tax administration and harmonization, automation of trade process, and labor mobility to facilitate trade of goods and services further.

Given experiences in other regions, sequential harmonization could be pursued in implementing the single customs territory and tax harmonization. Accountability and ownership are critical to a successful integration process.

Considerable progress has been made in financial sector integration, including integration of the payment systems and financial markets. In this regard, participants noted still high compliance cost in light of different regulations in member countries.

On the Fintech front, however, the EAC region is ahead of many other countries in the world. The importance of proper sequencing and pace of financial integration was stressed in light of risks involved.

Under the theme “The Road toward a Monetary Union,” the status of macroeconomic convergence in the EAC was discussed. Participants acknowledged that fiscal deficits need to be brought down to meet the convergence criterion and to ensure the stability of the future monetary union.

Convergence goes beyond headline fiscal deficits and public debt, and fiscal risks need to be monitored closely. Moreover, further progress is needed in data harmonization and monetary policy frameworks and operations, and there is a need to establish the new institutions that will play a key role for the implementation and resilience of the union.

Uganda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Sam Kuteesa has defended Uganda’s human rights record which he on Thursday said has undergone several structural and institutional adjustments.

While addressing the UN Human Rights Council during the UN Periodic Review in Geneva Switzerland, Kuteesa noted that no country has a perfect human rights record adding that Uganda’s resolve to adhere to their observance isn’t resultant of foreign pressures but rather the country’s dark history of dictatorship.

“Uganda supports the peer review process out of the commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights drawing from our bad experience and lessons from our past history of dictatorship. We, therefore, do so not because of any undue pressure or wishes from outside, but because we firmly believe that it is important for our country and people,” Kuteesa said.

Kuteesa cited the National Action Plan (NAP) among other legal frameworks which once approved said will provide abroad policy for the promotion and protection of human rights in the country.

“The Police, Army and the Prisons Service each has established a Directorate of Human Rights to handle human rights issues, including complaints from the public against any of their respective serving officers,” Kuteesa added.

More often, Uganda has come under pressure from the Opposition, civil society and international watchdogs for violating human rights. Local reports have placed the Uganda Police Force in lead of government institutions that violate these rights the most.

Despite the Opposition accusing government of using the Public Order Management Act (POMA) to suppress their liberties to hold assemblies, Kuteesa said; “Our Constitution guarantees rights of freedom of assembly, association and expression. Government has continued to advocate for a strong, vibrant and responsible free press; for freedom of speech; and broad participation.”

“Our people are continuously being sensitized to understand and appreciate that in enjoying their rights, every person is under obligation to act in accordance with the law.”

Key among recommendations put to Uganda by other states on Thursday was the controversial ‘criminalization’ of same sex relationships and marriages with France, Spain, Slovakia, Netherlands, Austria, Chile and Czech Republic asking that Uganda decriminalize such marriages in which two adults consent.

In his response, Kuteesa said; “We have evidence of prosecution of cases of violence against LGBT persons and others investigated. We do not accept to tolerate any discrimination because of sexual orientation. We will however not equally tolerate promotion of homosexuality.”

He clarified that the Anti Homosexuality Act was challenged in court shortly after its enactment and consequently repealed.

Other recommendations put to Uganda from a range of participating countries included; increasing access to education and health services for women and children and abolition of the death penalty.

Regarding the February general elections, Kuteesa said they were ‘free and fair’ but admitted to ‘some few administrative challenges’ in the process.

“Government is committed to ensuring that the relevant recommendations made by the Supreme Court, together with other proposals to be made by our people on constitutional reforms, will be handled by a constitutional review commission, that will be established,” the Minister said.

“It is important to underscore that it will be up to our people to decide what reforms they want to have. This is in line with our Constitution that explicitly provides for their sovereignty.”

Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) Executive Director Godfrey Mutabazi has distanced himself from social media critic Frank Gashumba’s woes.

Gashumba today Friday said he had been put into police custody.

“As expected the State has ordered for my arrest. Now being held at CID headquarters,” said Gashumba.

He said his crime was saying that Dr. Kizza Besigye won the 2016 General elections.

“Official complainant is Uganda Communications Commission’s Executive Director Mr. Godfrey Mutabazi,” added Gashumba.

Police spokesperson Andrew Kaweesi said he could not authoritatively comment on the matter as he was yet to get a full briefing from detectives.

However, Mutabazi told ChimpReports he was unaware about Gashumba’s arrest.

“This is strange,” said Mutabazi when asked if he had sought Gashumba’s arrest.

“I am not aware. Arresting people is not my duty. I don’t know him. Who is he?” Mutabazi queried.

Gashumba is a renowned critic of the NRM government. Authorities have previously castigated him for using social media platforms to disparage state functionaries.

Police in Mbarara has in detention supporters of the opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) who were arrested in an “illegal procession” this morning.

The Mbarara District Police Commander Jaffar Magyezi says they were alerted yesterday evening about the procession and they deployed accordingly.

“This morning we managed to arrest 4 people from the group of about 10 demonstrators,” the DPC told Chimpreports.

The arrested are Benson Muntu Bakinyeza from Sheema district, Ongom Ahimbisibwe from Rwampara, and Yassin Matsiko

Magyezi said the arrested were all FDC candidates in the recent concluded elections and were holding placards trying to incite violence.

The DPC said the group is being interrogated at Mbarara police station to understand the motive of staging an unlawful assembly.

The demonstrators were arrested from Homely Clinic where according to the DPC, they usually converge to carry out their activities. He also warned the clinic owner to choose between running a health a facility or a political office.

Magyezi says the arrested were implementing some of the programs being propagated from the opposition party in Kampala and though Col Dr Kizza Besigye. Similar protests he said have been happening in Kampala and Masaka.

“But we want to caution them that Uganda belongs to all of us; we shall not allow people with their own motives to come in and destabilize the peace of this country worked for, for many years” Magyezi said

The DPC Magyezi said the group will be taken to court and charged of inciting violence and putting up unlawful assembly.

The chairman LC 5 for Isingiro district has been arrested for violating the ministers’ orders on a quarantine imposed on the district.

Chairman Jeremiah Kamurali who sternly opposed the near 15 year ban on livestock movement in the district was picked up by police yesterday morning as he attempted to reopen the closed livestock markets in Endiinzi town.

He was immediately driven and handed over to Mbarara Regional Police Station.

The RPC Rwizi region Ivan Nuwamanya confirmed the arrest of the district chairman saying that he had forcefully opened the livestock markets violating the orders of Junior Minister of Animal husbandry Joy Kabatsi who last month extended the cattle quarantine in the district by another 10 years.

RPC Rwizi region Ivan Nuwamanya

The order followed reported cases of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) still evident in the district.

The district chairman in a recent interview with Chimpreports stood his ground and vowed to flout the minister’s orders saying that the quarantine was worsening the volatile condition in the district, currently hard hit by a prolonged dry spell.

Isingiro District Chairman Jeremiah Kamurali

He vowed to reopen the Endiinzi and Kamwirima cattle markets on 3^rd and 5^th November respectively.

The RPC Niwamanya told media upon the arrest that a regional security meeting will be held to find a lasting solution to the standoff.

Terming his actions as unnecessary defiance, the RPC said Kamurali would be charged for violating the Animal Disease Act (2000).

At the police, the district chairman pleaded to be released to attend a budget conference which was ongoing in his district and was granted a police bond.

After his release, Kamurali told Chimpreports that he will forcefully open the livestock markets.

“The markets must be reopened come rain or sunshine.” he said, adding that there was no way he would watch his people drop dead with no food to eat as government maintains grip on their livelihood with no support interventions.

President Yoweri Museveni has at last effected the highly anticipated shuffle in the various ministry Permanent Secretaries, bringing on board a number of new faces.

Summoning his constitutional powers under Section 174 of the national Constitution, the President said in a statement that he decided to make the reshuffle.

In some of the notable changes, the President appointed his doctor, Diana Atwiine who has been heading the State House Health Monitoring Team as the new Permanent Secretary Ministry of Health.

The President also appointed the Vice Chancellor Victoria University Dr Stephen Isabalija as the PS in the Ministry of Energy, replacing Kabagambe Kaliisa.

Eng Kariisa is now the Senior Presidential Adverser on Oil, Gas and Minerals.

President Yoweri Museveni’s Private Secretary Maj Edith Nakalema has been demoted to become his personal assistant.

The other Surprise was Ambassador James Mugume, who has been removed from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and replaced by Amb. Patrick Mugoya.

In other changes, the Education PS Dr Rose Nassali has been moved to the Judicial Service Commission. She is being replaced by Alex Kakooza.

John Mitala has been maintained as the Head of Public Service and is being deputized by Vincent Opio Lukon.

The Other Changes are as follows:

State House – Lucy Nakyoobe Mbonye

President’s Office – Doborah Katuramu

OPM -Christine Gwatudde

Public Service – Catherine Musingwiire

Lands -Dorcus Okalany

Works and Transport – Bageya Wasswa

Water and Environment – Alfred Okot Okidi

Gender Labor and Social Development – Pius Bigirimana

Tourism – Doreen Katusiime

Local Government – Benjamin Kumumanya

Finance – Keith Muhakanizi

Science and Technology – David Ebong

ICT – Vincent Bagiire

Health Service Commission – Teopista Mary Wenene

Ethics – Alex Okello

IGG – Rose N Kafeero

Solicitor General – Francis Otoke

Agriculture – Pius Wakabi

Public Service Commission – Geoffrey Mbabazi

IGG – Rose N Kafeero

Principle Private Secretary – Molly Kamukama

Education Service Commission – Dr Asuman Lukwago

Defense – Rossette Byengoma

Internal Affairs – Dr Benon Mutambi

EAC Affiars – Edith Mwanje

Judiciary – Kagole Kivumbi

Trade and Industry – Julius Onen

Col Dr Kizza Besigye, the former FDC Presidential candidate has blamed the current problems of Makerere University on “bad leadership” at the Education Ministry, which headed by First Lady Janet Museveni.

Dr Besigye while addressing press at his home in Kasangati on Friday, said the problems at the country’s  largest education institution had been wrongly approached, to the extent of being shut down by the President.

In Besigye’s view, this week’s execute order to indefinitely close Makerere by President Museveni was reflective of the possibility that the president doesn’t trust his wife Janet to run the Education Ministry.

“The Ministry of Education is also headed by his wife, but even he can’t allow his wife to run it. We expected that he would have trust in his wife to manage the (striking staff) problem but he decided to work it out himself.

Besigye added, “All this comes from an ideology whose priority is not the people of Uganda but simply the preservation and expansion of personal rule of Mr. Museveni.”

“If education was a priority it will be treated differently, right from primary we have destroyed our education system.”

Just hours after the university was closed following a teachers trike for non-payment, Dr Besigye called upon the student community to defy the order and decline leaving the campus.

The campus has since been cleared up by police, sending all students back home. It is still unclear when it will open again for business.

Following the arrest of Sisimuka Uganda’s Executive Director, Frank Gashumba, FDC’s former party president, Dr. Kiiza Besigye has advised government to build more prisons since more Ugandans affirm to his victory in the recent presidential elections.

Police on Thursday arrested Gashumba and his home was searched on grounds that he declared Besigye as a winner of the 2016 Election polls as well as ridiculing the person of UCC Executive Director Godfrey Mutabazi.

“There is no need to arrest Gashumba,” said Besigye at the press meeting today. “Well, I was arrested for the same and I have said so even in court that I won the elections. If that’s the treason, they shouldn’t waste time investigating, I have been saying so that I won the elections and am happier if more people indeed affirm it.”

“Everywhere I have been going people have been affirming it saying this is our president so the regime should build more prisons because if whoever voted and believes that I won he’s going to be arrested and I don’t know whom they will remain with.”

Besigye reiterated that all this is all panic by the government, and warned that more people will have to be arrested.

“The regime is in panic as I have pointed out previously, I have advised the regime that rather than panic and causing more confusion and chaos they should come and we sit down and we talk in broad day light how to get out of this mess that they have created.”

“We must have an orderly transition from the Museveni regime and the sooner the process is undertaken, the better for our country.”

Tension is rising in Kiira Municipality, Wakiso District as Police moves to evict six ‘kibanja’ land owners despite a court injuction against the same.

Kiira Police, under the command of OCCID, Constantine Nyirayisenga on Thursday November 4^th mounted an operation to evict John Buteraba, Timothy Mawomero and Anthony Ssewatti, all residents of Kiira from a piece of land which they say they have inhabited for over 40 years.

The land in question is being claimed by Josephat Bisase and Tempora Bisase, the surviving administrators of the Estate of the late K.L.B Kisosonkole who had earlier made an attempt to evict the residents.

The affected persons, through their lawyer, Kenneth Paul Kakande of Alaka and company Advocates would later seek legal redress of the matter where the two parties agreed in a consent judgement.

In a consent Decree, dated October 17^th under the hand of High Court Land Division Deputy Registrar, Esta Nambayo, which ChimpReports is in possession of, the plaintiffs were declared lawful owners of the land and all authorities warned against evicting them.

“The plaintiffs are bonafide and lawful occupants/owners of the suit Kibanja situate at Namugongo Kiira, Wakiso District, boarding Sam Perezi, on the lower side, Mr. Kyobe on the upper side, Ms. Nabitosi on the left hand side and Ms. Nakiwala on the right hand side,” the consent decree reads in part.

A consent judgement was also passed and an injuction put, baring the defendants from evicting the Kibanja land owners.

“A permanent injunction is hereby issued against the defendants, their agents or anybody deriving title/authority from them, or anybody, restraining them from interfering with the plaintiffs’ lawful possession and use of the suit land and evicting, dispossessing or dealings in the suit property in a manner likely to affect the rights and interests of the plaintiffs,” the decree further reads.

Barely a month after the injuction was issued, the heat has been turned up again by a one Hezekia Mukiibi, a surveyor in the same area who has called on police to evict the residents who are protected by the court injunction.

Anthony Ssewatti, an owner of Kibanja land measuring 12 acres claims that police operatives have threatened to chase him away, demanding that he either gives them money or hands over half of his 12 acre land.

Ssewatti told ChimpReports that he has lived on that piece of land for over 4o years and that his fore fathers also lived on the same land although he doesn’t have a land title to it.

“I have grown up here. This is where our fathers lived. Where do they expect me to go?” wondered a distressed Ssewatti.

Efforts to get a comment from Mukiibi have remained futile as all his known phone numbers can’t go through.

The Managing Director of Middle East Consultants Limited (MEC), Mr. Gordon Mugyenyi has applauded the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development for the efforts made to protect Ugandans who are employed in Middle East countries.

“I want to thank the Ministry of Labour for signing bilateral agreements with Middle East Countries. Such agreements will help protect our citizens who go to those countries as workers,” said Mugyenyi.

“So far, I understand that the ministry has signed with Saudi Arabia and Jordan and is also looking at signing with other countries like UAE and Qatar,” he added.

Mugyenyi made the remarks while speaking to ChimpReports at the sidelines of a sendoff ceremony of 52 workers who were going to Dubai Airport to work as security guards and service crew members.

He revealed that the 52 youths will be working under TransGuard, a government owned security firm in Dubai.

“TransGuard has given us (MEC) an opportunity to supply 400 workers in two months. Places are still available and we want to recruit as many Ugandans as possible, to be able to solve the country’s problem of unemployment,” he said.

Mugyenyi called upon all parents to take their children to MEC as soon as they finish campus saying that opportunities are lined up waiting for people to take them up.

He however warned against illegal recruiters who he said take people and dump them in unknown places.

“Middle East is a registered company and well recognized by government. We take our recruits through Entebbe airport unlike illegal recruiters who use border points.”

Commenting about the recent incident where a Ugandan girl died in Saudi Arabia, Mugyenyi noted that the girl was taken by illegal recruiters who do not follow up on the welfare of the workers.

“Those people (illegal recruiters) don’t help you once you are there. They just dump you there and the rest is on you,” he said.

Excitement as recruits check in to Entebbe Airport on Friday morning

Ramathan Muwada Sekamwa, one of the recruits told ChimpReports that he chose to go and work in Middle East because he had many responsibilities and his job in Uganda was not earning enough salary to foot the bills.

“When my dad died last year, I got a lot of responsibilities. I have a little sister and a young brother together with our mother and I am the sole bread winner,” he said in Luganda.

“I hope to go and work, make money to come back and establish a business that can sustain us as a family,’ he added.

Muwada has worked as a security guard with Pinnacle security and before being recruited, was working as a painter. He lives in Mbuya II zone.

On whether he was scared considering the daunting news about how Ugandans are treated, he said “I don’t believe in propaganda. My cousin has gone there through MEC and has come back with a different story. That’s what I am backing on to get the confidence I have.”

Muwada was escorted by his mother, Regina Kabugo.

Jinja Municipal Hippos coach George William Lutaalo is still harboring hopes of his team avoiding the chop at the twilight of the season.

The club’s plight deepened further with the 3-1 loss to bitter town rivals BUL FC in Wednesday afternoon.

“My team tried what we could to get a result from the game but ended up on the losing side at the end of the day,” Lutaalo told ChimpSports. “However that’s not the end of the road because we are still in the race to survival.”

Luck.
“The game wasn’t bad but the team with enough luck always carries the points and in this case they were and we’re the unfortunate ones. The few mistakes made are responsible for the defeat.”

JMC Hippos cling on substratum of the pack with only three points after twelve games, eight adrift safety.

The team remains with three games against Police FC away and then Bright Stars and Express FC at home before heading for the mid season break.

“We hope to improve in our coming fixtures to overcome our current situations. We’re down but not out,” he added

A French delegation has visited the Ministry of Defence Headquarters, Mbuya to strengthen diplomatic relations between Uganda and France. The delegation was led by H.E. Stefanie Rivola, the French Ambassador to Uganda.

During the visit, Ambassador Stefanie introduced the Commander of French Forces in Djibouti, Brig Gen Thiery Duquenoy, to the Uganda People’s Defence Forces leadership.

The occasion was also used by Uganda to applaud the French training team for completing their sessions at the Peace Support Operations (PSO) Training Centre at Singo for Battle Group XXI.

Uganda’s Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs, Hon. Adolf Mwesige thanked the team for cooperating with Uganda in maintaining peace and security in the country and Africa.

Mwesige congratulated the French training team for the tremendous work they are doing at (PSO) to equip UPDF with skills that have enabled Uganda to successfully operate in a very challenging and unpredictable operational environment.

Uganda has continued to benefit from the French training in other areas like training in mountainous environment and is in the final process of finalizing the Status of Forces’ Agreement (SOFA) that will define and regulate the activities of French Forces and their joint operations with the UPDF while in Uganda.

This specialized training has enabled UPDF to be adoptive in its approach to the operations, cognizant of the fact that the contemporary threat environment is very fluid and constantly mutating.

Under such frameworks, we hope to further fortify our bilateral cooperation between Uganda and France which will subsequently provide even more opportunities for future strategic engagements beyond the Defence Sector.

In attendance were the French Defence Attaché to Uganda Lt Col George Jacono, Permanent Secretary Rosette Byengoma, Joint Chief of Staff (JCOS) Maj Gen Wilson Mbadi, Deputy Chief of Military Intelligence, International and Regional Affairs (D/CMI/I), Brig Richard Karemire, Chief of Training and Recruitment (CTR) Brig J W Byarugaba and Protocol team.

National Resistance Movement-NRM party officials in Kabale District have been issued an eviction notice from their office over rent arrears and poor hygiene.

The offices are on a building that belongs to the estate of the Paul Bitarabeho, located on plot 155, Kabale Road in Central Division Kabale Municipality.

According to the administrator of the Estate, the party has failed to pay rent arrears for the whole year. The party is required to pay eight hundred thousand shillings per month.

The eviction notice

Bitarabeho in his eviction letter dated 3rd October 2016 addressed to the NRM Secretariat, also accuses the party for failing to empty toilets yet they had agreed upon it, and he is worried that if they continue occupying his house there could be a serous disease outbreak.

Bitarabeho says that since the year began he has been engaging relevant authorities to pay rent in vain.

He now wants the NRM party to vacate his house by 2nd December this year.

Bitarabeho also wants NRM party to pay all outstanding utility bills accrued by their office before they depart.

The National Resistance Movement Administrator Kabale district Amos Rwanshija admits that the party has not been paying for some time.

He however says that he cannot give the official stand of the party because the matter is being handled at a NRM secretariat.

The news of the eviction party offices angered the supporters of NRM in Kabale district accusing their party leadership of negligence and irresponsibility.

The Bugongi ward councilor at Kabale municipal council Ronald Hakizimana Bifabusha says that the district NRM chairperson and Finance Minister Hon David Bahati should immediately settle the matter because the incident is unfortunate.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has pledged continuous partnership with the East African Community (EAC) to address issues of migration within East Africa.

IOM’s Regional Director for East and the Horn of Africa, Mr. Jeffrey Labovitz, said that the collapse of commodity prices on the world market and inflation had badly affected economies in East Africa and neighbouring countries, adding that this coupled with ongoing conflict would necessitate migration within the region.

Labovitz said poorly performing economies would mean people having problems in accessing farming implements and inputs which in turn contribute to low agricultural yields.

He noted that EAC Partner States had been quite generous and humane in hosting refugees from neighbouring countries riven with conflict.

The IOM official singled out the Ugandan model of refugee management whereby refugees are integrated into local communities and given land to farm rather than being put into refugee camps.

He said Tanzania, which hosts many refugees, was keen on learning from Uganda on how to handle refugees and urged other African countries to follow suit.

Labovitz was speaking this week when paid a courtesy call on the EAC Secretary General, Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko, at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.

Mfumukeko thanked IOM for its close cooperation with the EAC on matters of migration and refugees, adding that refugees need food, medical assistance and educational facilities for their children.

The Secretary General said that the Ugandan model of integrating refugees into host communities was good because it enabled refugees to stabilize and continue with their lives as they wait for normalcy to return to their countries of origin.

Some of the critical migration challenges facing the EAC include: the free movement of persons and labour; internally displaced persons, and; forced migration. The EAC has been working with IOM to address the free movement of persons and labour and in the collection of migration data.

During the function, Mr. Labovitz was accompanied by the IOM Chief of Mission in Tanzania, Dr. Qasim Sufi and the Head of Programmes at IOM Tanzania, Ms. Tamara Keating. Amb. Mfumukeko was flanked by the Director of Social Sectors, Ms. Mary Makoffu, and the Labour and Employment Officer, Mr. Stephen Niyonzima.