President Yoweri Museveni has congratulated US President-Elect Donald Trump over his victory in the US Presidential elections.

The President was speaking to his media team at the Sheraton Hotel in Addis Ababa shortly after attending the AU extra ordinary summit on African Capacity for Immediate Response To Crises volunteering nations (ACIRC) summit at the African Union.

The President returns home today after attending a two-day working visit.

“I congratulate Mr. Trump on his election as the President of the United States of America. Elections in the US or any country are a matter for the people of that country,” Museveni said.

Our relationship with the United States will continue regardless of which leader or party is leading. I congratulate Mr. Trump once again and look forward to working with him as we have been working with the other leaders before him.”

Ugandans that have been supporting the now US President elect, Donald Trump have commenced celebration of their candidate’s victory and also advised African leaders to start planning for their future.

Moses Bigirwa together with other youths who are currently battling with a court case for illegally campaigning for Trump at the US Embassy, have told Chimpreports that the group is in high spirit and ready to hold celebrations at the Embassy.

“Tomorrow we are holding our victory party at the US Embassy, this time not demonstrating but celebrating our victory and the expected change that awaits Africa and Uganda,” Bigirwa told Chimpreports in a phone interview.

Asked whether the celebrations have been okayed by authorities, Bigirwa said that the Embassy is already aware and he expects to be accorded good welcome.

“The Embassy officials are much aware of our victory and our going there, we are now in power and in control. Last time it was them in power and that’s why they arrested us,” Bigirwa said.

“We have been at the forefront of campaigning for Trump because we believe he will solve African problems like our overstayed leaders including our very own here,” he said.

In his congratulatory message to Trump, President Museveni expressed readiness to work with the US’s leader despite early fears that Trump’s victory would kill Uganda- US Trade relations.

Trump has promised that “I want to tell the world community that while we will always put America’s interests first, we will deal fairly with everyone. All people and all other nations. We will seek common ground, not hostility, partnership, not conflict.”

The National Resistance Movement party Secretary General, Justine Kasule Lumumba has congratulated the newly elected President of the United States of America Donald Trump.

Mr. Trump who stood on Republican Party ticket, on Wednesday early morning became the clear victor after winning both the popular vote and the electoral vote map in a very tight race with the Democratic Party’s Hilary Rodham Clinton.

At 2:50am ET the business mogul and Television figure, Trump had decisively bagged 288 of the 538 electors against the Mrs. Clinton’s 2015.

The popular votes at the same time gave Trump 57,123,323 which is equivalent of 48.0 percent of the total votes while Clinton scored 56,178,848, equivalent of 47.2 percent.

In Uganda, President Yoweri Museveni was the first to congratulate Trump saying he is going to work with the latter like he did with his predecessors.

Two hours later, the NRM SG also joined the rest of the world in sending congratulatory message to Trump and his running mate Mike Pence.

“On behalf of NRM I congratulate President Elect of USA Mr. Donald Trump and Mr. Pence; and the American People,” part of the message from Lumumba sent to ChimpReports read.

The NRM SG added that the ruling party treasures democracy as the current day formula of choosing leaders.

“Democracy is the modern way of choosing leaders which NRM cherishes and natures. I am looking ahead for improved relationship and diplomacy as we strive to improve the life of an ordinary human being.”

Students at Mbarara University of Science and students have vowed to carry on with their demonstration pressing for the new re-take policy to be reversed.

The MUST students staged a strike on Monday pressurizing the administration to reduce on the re-take fee from the current UG Shs 50,000 to UG Shs 20,000.

In a meeting held yesterday to resolve their grievances, students vowed not to attend any more lectures until Friday when the vice chancellor Obua celestino promised them feedback.

“Senate makes resolutions on such policies so I have no mandate to remove or change the retake policy; you shall only wait for the response from the senate on Friday”

However, on hearing this, students stressed that they are tired of the “remote vice chancellor” who is ever out of office. They said Obua is ever in Kampala running his other business projects.

Sankara Byaruhanga, one of the BIT students told us that the university officials utilized VC’s absenteeism in office to misappropriate the universities’ funds including internship allowances.

Byaruhanga stressed that the university had a lot of issues to be addressed but the administration was not paying attention.

“We are not just demonstrating for the retake fee, but a number of issues in the university need to be addressed” Sankara said

Dr. Obua in response said the amount of money to be paid for retakes will be pronounced by the senate, but suspended the current retake policy for the mean time.

“It’s unlawful to sabotage the role of the senate; so I will wait for its response before Friday” he said

Information and ICT Minister Frank Tumwebaze has spoken out on the stunning rise of Donald Trump to the highest political seat in United States, saying the new enlightened world can no longer be influenced by biased media.

Trump floored Hillary Clinton in a heated election Tuesday, contrary to earlier predictions by prestigious pollsters, data analysts and western media that gave the latter a possible landslide.

The Clinton camp was visibly devastated as Trump grabbed key Democratic Party strongholds and swing states such as North Carolina, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania.

Most of the top media houses including New York Times and Washington Post publicly threw their weight behind Clinton in what appeared a concerted effort to defeat Trump.

But the polls showed Trump emerging stronger than earlier anticipated.

Speaking to ChimpReports, Tumwebaze said, “The election of Trump was a real defeat of propaganda and conspiracy among the elite that believe in sloganeering.”

Clinton’s allies had tried to portray Trump as immoral and too evil to occupy the White House.

Tumwebaze said, “Whether they knew his strength and they deliberately covered it up with their biases and spinning for their partisan interests, all fell flat.”

Trump has spent the better part of his life doing business.

Clinton’s crushing defeat at the hands of an outsider and inexperienced politician like Trump left many in shock.

“Therefore those who believe that they can influence public opinion through media partisan narratives and slogans should have a take way lesson from this trump thing,” said Tumwebaze.

In his victory speech, Trump called for the binding of wounds to heal and unite the great nation.

He takes oath in January 2017.

Members of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) have accused Ministry of Finance Permanent Secretary, Keith Muhakanizi of undermining the institution of Parliament.

Muhakanizi with other officials were Wednesday appearing before PAC, chaired by Soroti Woman MP, Anglina Osege to answer to queries raised in the Auditor General’s report of 2014/15.

The PS’s response to the questions raised by members of the committee was found demeaning and unconvincing as per by Kalungu West legislator, Joseph Ssewungu.

“Madam Chairperson how can a PS be ignorant of the funds given to Makerere University and how it is spent, that’s just undermining parliamentarians and denying us information, Ssewungu said.

The worst came when Muhakanizi threw documents at the Chairperson instead of the accepted decent laying of documents on table.

This angered Osege who ordered Muhakanizi not to try acting in contempt of Parliament and ordered him to apologize, which he did.

The apology was however overlooked by Ssewungu; “This is not the first time Muhakanizi is appearing before Parliament and he knows how things are done in the house but he simply chooses to undermine us.”

The silent Muhakanizi reiterated his apology to the committee which was accepted by members through the chairperson and the meeting proceeded.

Ssewungu later told the media that, “Muhakanizi feels like he has a lot of powers compared to MPs,  and simply does whatever he feels like doing copying his senior President Museveni who has failed to reshuffle him for years,”

“He always takes us as beggars because we go there to ask for money; that’s why he takes us for granted.”

A Ugandan student, Henry Mutebe has become the first African student to be elected into the student parliament of Oslo and Akershus University college of applied sciences.

Henry Mutebe, 30, is in his second year at his master’s degree in Multicultural and International Education.

He graduated from Kyambogo with a first class degree in Development Studies and was retained to start teaching at age of 22.

He has been involved in empowering of women and children and an advocate of girl child education and minorities.

Before leaving for Oslo in 2015, he was lecturing at Kyambogo, and studying law at Makerere.

In 2015, he was among the 8 emerging leaders selected for the prestigious UK chevening Scholarship.

He was to study a masters degree at London School of Economics and political science but he declined the offer to pursue his post graduate studies in Norway.

In August this year, he was elected as president of International students union a body that brings together over 1000 students at the university college.

Now, he beat 19 other candidates to emerge first in the race to join student parliament.

In Norway, student democracy is deep with students influencing what happens in universities and what governments do to improve students issues.

Mutebile said that his election was an eye opener for all other international students to eengage and involve them selves in school activities.

“It is not that they (international students) feel excluded, they just do not feel included. I want to break new ground and allow international students to participate and contribute at another level,” he said.

He has since declared his intentions to run for Vice President the next year.

“I want to position myself through bringing in the international perspectives, in addition to representing all students and I want to become Vice President next year,” he says.

UPDF’s Maj. General Julius Oketta who died on Saturday was finally laid to rest at his home in Lachor, Gulu Municipality on Wednesday afternoon.

The funeral attracted many political figures both from the region, national and local leaders who converged to pay their last respects to late who passed away while serving as the Deputy Chairperson of the military led Operation Wealth Creation.

The Church service was led by Gulu Diocese’s Archbishop John Baptist Odama who appealed to mourners to emulate the late whom he described as a true servant of Christ during his time on earth.

Gen Oketta was the deputy coordinator of the Operation Wealth Creation

LR: East African Legislative Assembly Speaker, Dan Kidega, Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Jacob Oulanyah, Government Chief Whip, Ruth Nankabirwa and Security Minister, Henry Tumukunde

LR: Internal Affairs Minister, Gen. J.J Odongo and senior government officials

Inspector General of Police Kale Kayihura and UPDF representative in Parliament Lt. Gen. Ivan Koreta

Opposition leaders from Forum for Democratic Change including former Secretary General, Alice Alaso, Soroti Municipality MP James Ariku, Party President Maj. Gen. Mugisha Muntu and Aswa county MP Reagan Okumu

Former Internal Affairs Minister Rose Akol Okullu

Gen. Oketta’s widow and a grandchild

UPDF band

After government embarking on promoting the Rolex on the international scene to attract tourists who love to explore food and recipes across the continent, private companies have also come up to add more value to the business.

The food originally a roadside snack, has evolved into a house-hold fast food which has been internationally recognised with restaurants and hotels now serving it everywhere in the country as part of their regular menu.

The roadside seller however, has been in trouble after house hold restaurants started advertising the rolex on their menu.

Some consumers would argue that the restaurant is much cleaner and convenient to offer the rolex compared to the road side seller.

Shell gas has taken an initiative to add value to the rolex on the roadside to make it cleaner and more convenient than before.

The company is encouraging Rolex chefs to adopt gas which is quicker, cleaner and easier to use, compared to charcoal.

This will create more competition since the roadside rolex will be cleaner and more convenient to customers.

Jerry Etolu who runs a Rolex business in Ntinda under the names ‘May Man’ rolex stand, is the first Rolex chef to embrace gas and he says, gas is much flexible because it can be regulated according to the fire needed, compared to charcoal where they have to use ash in case the fire is much.

The Inspector General of Police yesterday ordered the removal of road checks which were put in place to enforce a cattle quarantine in the western Isingiro district.

Kayihura made the directive after consulting stakeholders, especially farmers who claimed to have been adversely affected by the quarantine announced the junior agriculture Minister Joy Kabatsi.

The Minister in September extended by 10 years a ban on movement and sale of livestock in and out of Isingiro district, following confirmed reports of Foot and Mouth Disease.

Kayihura’s visit to Isingiro district yesterday he said, followed numerous calls he was receiving asking him to speak to the minister to rescind the quarantine order.

Following the IGP’s intervention, livestock markets in Isingiro were reopened yesterday Wednesday.

According to the Rwizi region spokesperson Ibin Senkumbi, the IGP expressed concern that the locals were planning to turn against the police officers manning the quarantine road blocks.

The IGP advised local Veterinary Officers to put the barriers only at the boarders of the district and not within the district, as has been the case. As such, the people are allowed to transport and sell their cows within Isingiro.

“Of course as police we shall remain available to provide man power if the ministry needs more enforcement especially at the borders,” said the IGP.

Former four time opposition presidential candidate Col Dr Kizza Besigye on Thursday charmed a group of Kenyan jurors at a conference in South Africa, taking them though his years of struggle to take power in Uganda.

The jurors under the Kenyan branch of the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ-Kenya) are meeting in Durban to discuss and reflect on democracy in Africa.

Besigye while speaking at the conference, on Uganda’s political journey from the pre-independent area today, recalled how at one point President Museveni attempted to use some of his family members and close friends against him.

This he said, happened in the early 2000s when he had officially broken ties with regime through a daunting dossier that exposed the rot in the government he had helped bring to power.

When the document came out, Besigye told the meeting, Museveni ordered for him to be court-martialed because he was still a serving officer of the UPDF and the document was considered subversive.

“So, we started mobilizing politically to challenge that Court Martial. When he (Museveni) realized that he would face more problems in the court martial, — and we had prepared to expose him maximally in there — he organized my relatives and elders in my village to come meet him and plead for me,” said Besigye as the house erupted in laughter.

“Without my knowledge I heard that all these relatives and important people in my village were in town to meet Museveni. Some expected that I knew so they told me that they had come to intervene on my behalf.

“So I asked them (before going to State House), to meet me first and I explained to them how what I had done had absolutely nothing that could incriminate me and cause me to suffer under the law.

“I told them to let me go to the Court Martial because I was not scared.”

Besigye says however, that his relatives were not moved and insisted on him apologizing to the President before things could get worse.

“They told me, ‘You know, we have listened to you and we agree with you, but we want to tell you in our wisdom as elders, that a creeper cannot argue with a machete. Even if you are right, this is a situation where you must be humble because the machete will maul you down. Please accept, go and apologize to him; we have come to help you do that.’”

Besigye says he nonetheless “respectfully disagreed with them there and then.”

“I told them that while I agreed with their proverb, what I didn’t agree with was that I am the creeper in this situation; because the one who is right cannot be the weak one.”

During his lecture that lasted more than an hour, the former presidential candidate said that like his relatives and village elders, Ugandans had been culturally accustomed to being servants to those occupying office.

This he said went back to the time of the British imperial rulers and that even when they left in 1962 and leadership positions were taken by fellow Ugandans, this order did not change.

Dr Besigye has since 2000 been fighting without success to overthrow the now three decade rein of the NRM and President Museveni.

He currently faces treason charges for declaring himself winner of last February’s Presidential elections.

The Burundian government under the embattled President, Pierre Nkuruzinza has moderately softened towards the deployment of United Nations force that had previously rejected in totality.

The Special Adviser to the UN Secretary-General for Conflict Prevention, Jamal Benomar who visited Burundi recently, told the UN Security Council on Tuesday that the negotiation is “constructive”.

“Our discussions were constructive and I’m confident that with continuous engagement and political will, we will find common ground as a basis for moving forward with the implementation of the resolution,” said Mr.Benomar.

The Council dispatched him to consult with officials in Burundi to find a way forward on all issues related to peace and security and UN activities in the country that plunged to violence in mid-2015 when Nkurunzinza announced to stand for the third term against the earlier peace deal.

The Security Council Resolution 2303, adopted on 29 July 2016, authorized up to 228 UN individual police officers for the component, to be deployed in the capital, Bujumbura, and throughout Burundi, for one year as talks continues in Tanzania.

Also through the resolution adopted by 11 votes in favour to none against with four abstentions (Angola, China, Egypt, Venezuela), the Council also expressed its intention to pursue targeted measures against all actors, inside and outside Burundi, who threaten the peace and security of Burundi.

In the Tuesday’s briefing, Mr. Benomar told the Council that he had held the various meetings with the Government and other stakeholders in Burundi, as well as with former President Benjamin Mkapa, the facilitator of the East African Community (EAC)-led dialogue, in Dar es Salaam.

“I told the Council that I listened carefully to the views and concerns of the Burundian Government in respect to resolution 2303, particularly regarding the proposed deployment of unarmed UN police officers,” Mr. Benomar said.

The envoy stressed that the world body needs a new compact between the Government of Burundi and the international community, with both sides engaging in a constructive effort to promote peace and stability, in full respect of Burundi’s sovereignty

He noted that the Burundian people are suffering the economic and humanitarian consequences of the situation.

“But in order to address the many implications of this crisis in the long-term, its root causes must be tackled – a Burundian-led political process and a genuine and inclusive dialogue are urgently needed,” he stressed.

Col Dr Kizza Besigye has “quite often” been ridiculed by those who are conversant with Uganda’s political history, — that all political transitions are always through guns and bloodshed.

The former presidential candidate revealed yesterday that his struggle to overthrow the NRM regime has been doubted because he has no guns.

Dr Besigye was yesterday addressing members of the Kenyan branch of the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ-Kenya) who are meeting in Durban to discuss and reflect on democracy in Africa.

“Since 1962, no single has ever handed over power peacefully to another. Every leader has been bombed out of office and whoever has occupied the highest office has bombed his way into government,” she said.

“And so, I face a lot of ridicule sometimes because people ask me how I think I will make things any different. If you don’t have bombs you will not get there, they say.”

Besigye however, said the political campaign that he has been running since 2001, is just like that of the 1980s which catapulted the current regime into power.

Making reference to the 1981 war which commenced with 30people facing two different armies (Ugandan and Tanzanian) with only 27 guns, Besigye told the meeting, “It is not always about the guns.”

Col Besigye further told the jurists in Durban that often he is confronted with concerns on whether or not once he assumes office will not become like President Museveni; who at the start outline a good plan for the country but almost immediately diverted from it.

He noted, “All this I think cannot be guaranteed unless the citizens themselves have regained their confidence, are less fearful of authority and re-assume their position as masters so that leaders become servants”

Dr Besigye says this will take a “pitched struggle” to attain, which struggle can take different forms and means.

“But for us we chose none violent means.”

“In 1980 we used violence and we have seen the outcome of that,” added Besigye

“Violence destroys and weakens all the civic competences, families are dismantled, and people are displaced. You end the war when all non state institutions are weak, only the victor military is organized and strong.”

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and the King Of Buganda Ronald Muwenda Mutebi, are expected to grace a two day event dubbed the National Youth Explosion slotted to be on the 15th and 16th of December.

The National Youth Explosion is expected to be one of the biggest youth gatherings that will converge youths from all around the country, who are expected share experiences, exhibit their creations, show their talents and many more activities.

Museveni Donates Brand New Land Cruiser to Kabaka Mutebi

“Among the aims of the event is to ensure that we change the mindset of the youths and those of older people to the youths. We want to empower the youths and above all support them” the Minister of State for Youth and Children’s Affairs Florence Nakiwala Kiyingi said.

While addressing the media at Namboole stadium on Thursday Nakiwala said that the National Youth Explosion was approved by Government and the Ministry of Gender will fully support it.

“We encourage all the youths all over the world to come attend the event so that they can get new experiences that will change their mind sets and change stereotypes people have on the youth” she said.

She added that other Government agencies will be there, corporate companies, the civil society organisations, musicians and very many other people of different walks of life.

“The youth will be given free spaces to exhibit at Namboole stadium.  The theme for the activities marking the National Youth Policy is “Mindset Change: A Pre- requisite to attaining a middle income status”

Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has denied ever exiting the Interparty Organization for Dialogue (IPOD) despite their earlier claims that they would not engage in the activities before amendments of the current Memorandum of Understanding.

In July the party through the spokesperson, Ibrahim Semuju Nganda told the media that the party working committee had resolved to vote out of IPOD since the organization was no longer in existence and relevant.

Read Also: DP Unhappy With FDC’s Exit from IPOD

“To avoid confusion within IPOD following issues that you all know, FDC will be out and will not participate in any activities other than working towards the restructuring and reconstituting the organization,” Nganda said.

Related: Besigye Condemns Opposition MPs’ Meeting With Museveni

However, the party Deputy Secretary General, Harold Kaija was on Thursday spotted in an IPOD meeting with UPC president Jimmy Akena at Uganda House, an activity that was not intended to restructure the MOU.

Asked why he was still engaged in IPOD activities yet his party had opted out of IPOD, Kaija denied his party ever leaving IPOD.

“We only said we had some reservations that needed to be addressed; there is a program of reviewing the MOU of IPOD. In that forum we are making sure that all our concerns as political parties are brought on board to come up with an MoU that is acceptable by all parties,” Kaija responded.

“It’s not that we don’t want IPOD but we want an IPOD that is strong and works to benefit the people of Uganda.”

FDC accused IPOD members then, of meeting President Museveni at State House where they made a call for the release of presidential candidate, Kiiza Besigye who was in prison them.

The Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) has embarked on an exercise to process the return of land titles under its possession to all the Project Affected Persons.

The titles were obtained from different road projects affected persons for the purpose of acquiring land for road works but had since not been returned to the respective owners.

According to a statement released by the UNRA officials, the Authority notes that the process has already commenced and will be completed in the shortest time.

“UNRA acknowledges and regrets the inconvenience this undertaking has had on owners of the land titles and is expediting the process to return them,” the statement reads in part.

In the recent few months, UNRA has engaged several consultants previously working on the affected projects to avail all the missing information and to retrieve all the titles in their possession.

It was however established that some titles did not have the relevant supporting documentation to facilitate the sub-division process.

“The Authority has notified all persons affected by different road projects to provide missing information and documents to support the process of sub-division and enable our land acquisition teams expedite the exercise.  The sub-division exercise involves the separation of the UNRA road reserve from the mother title (Project Affected Persons’ title),” the statement further reads.

The affected projects to be handled under the exercise include Gayaza-Zirobwe, Kamengo-Lukaya, Lukaya-Masaka, Nsangi-Kamengo, Mbarara-Kabale-Katuna, Mbarara Bypass, Kampala-Entebbe Expressway and Kampala Northern Bypass.

“Owners of titles along the specified projects are required to move along with particulars of identification to the nearest UNRA stations to confirm their land title status and to safeguard against potential fraudsters.”

“Key among the particulars required include; mutation forms, transfer forms, 2 passport size photographs, a National ID or passport, letters of administration, original, duly witnessed and Registered Powers of Attorney for affected companies.”

Traders in Kyenshama, Kashare sub county Mbarara district have expressed disappointment with the police, who they are accusing of stealing exhibits kept at the station.

The concern was raised yesterday during the security meeting held at Kyenshama trading center in Kashare Sub County where angry traders tasked police in the area to explain as to why they don’t receive their exhibits after investigations are concluded.

“I don’t understand where police and court puts our exhibits recovered with thieves after investigations,” Jothan Bandana one of the residents ranted.

“The OC announced last time that 11 goats and 14 cows were recovered from criminals by police; where did those animals go?” Jothan said

In response to the matter, the OC station Kyenshama police post, Topher Akamanya said after receiving such cases, they usually forward the files together with the exhibits to the Rwizi regional head offices in Mbarara for further scrutiny and investigations.

“I have nothing to do with the exhibits; my work is very simple just to forward files and the said exhibits to my top bosses in Mbarara” Topher said.

At the meeting, the deputy RDC Mbarara Vincent Kamugisha
asked the locals to always remain calm when police is carrying out investigations since it’s a process that needs patience.

He promised to follow up the concerns about their missing exhibits at police and in courts of law.

Controversial priest Fr. Jacinto Kibuuka has once again blasted the leadership of the Catholic Church in Uganda over what he termed as baseless and defamatory statements against him intended to make people hate him.

The Catholic Church leadership last week revealed they had exterminated Fr. Kibuuka for ordaining 2 priests in Luweero, an act the Church says was illegal because he had been suspended and not allowed to do any work in the name of the church.

Addressing journalists at his church in Namugongo, Kibuuka said he was surprised by the statement of the Catholic Church concerning his extermination.

“I quit the Roman Catholic Church long ago. I joined and was exceedingly welcomed by the Eastern Orthodox Church,” Fr.Kibuuka said on Friday afternoon.

“The Catholic Bishops who exterminated me acted with ignorance, intrigue, malice and are waging war against me.  Ordaining the 2 priests weeks ago was done rightfully without breach of any regulation.”

He noted that the Catholic Church is not competent to pronounce anything concerning him because he is no longer part of ‘their’ Church since he found a new home.

Fr.Kibuuka threatened to sue the Catholic Church in Uganda for defamation by leaving their cardinal duty of preaching the word of God and turning to preaching against him which he said was unacceptable.

Archbishop Cyprian Kizito Lwanga in July   announced he had suspended Fr Kibuuka, a popular charismatic priest and also banned all activities of the Mamre Prayer Centre in Namugongo where Kibuuka operates from.

In a July 12 notice, Archbishop Lwanga instructed Catholic believers that it was forbidden to participate in any event held at Kibuuka’s place, accusing the priest of disobedience and resisting transfer on top of operating a centre outside his jurisdiction which led divisions in the Catholic Church.

Kibuuka was ordained into priesthood in 2008.

Following a prolonged drought spell in Isingiro District which left many households with no food as most of the crops dried up, members of the Arcdiocese of Mbarara Develolment Association (AMDA) mobilised resources and procured 8 tonnes of maize flour that was distributed in most affected areas of Isingiro on Thursday.

The food aid was distributed in the three most affected parishes of Rutete, Burigi, Kyabahesi and Nshororo Parishes in Mbale Sub-county, Kikoba Parish in Endiinzi Sub-county and Murema Parish in Kashumba subcounty where about 700 households were reached.

Residents line up to receive food from AMDA

The AMDA Chairman Dr. Gaston Ampe said that members of the association positively responded to the dire need for food for people in the district who have been hit by famine.

“As AMDA, we are very happy to participate in an exercise that defines our social responsibility as Catholics. As a principle, we Catholics give – not because the beneficiaries are Catholics but because we, are Catholics,” Mr Ampe said.

He also noted that the money used to buy the 8000 kilos of maize flour was raised as part of generous contributions made by AMDA members.

Monies collected were used to purchase food that was given to the most vulnerable, most affected families in the district – irrespective of their faith or their creed.

“We are very grateful to Kingdom Rice through Liz Kosenene for their contribution of 2.5 tonnes which we also distributed to the communities in Isingiro district.”

Mr. Ampe further called on other well-wishers to mobilise whatever little they have and use it to feed our needy brothers and sisters across the country.

About 700 households were reached with the help

Father Muhumuza Ulbano, the Assistant Parish Priest of Birinduma Parish applauded the AMDA Team saying that their gesture demonstrates what the Catholic faith teaching of sharing the little available with the needy.

“We are particularly grateful to the entire AMDA leadership and all the members for living true to the Christian values,” he said, while appealing to the members of the public to preserve the environment, plant trees but also consider other ventures other than relying on only bananas.

Happy Isingiro residents walk away with food from AMDA

About AMDA

The Archdiocese of Mbarara Development Association (AMDA) is an umbrella association uniting all Catholics that hail from Mbarara Archdiocese living in Kampala and surrounding Areas such as Entebbe, Mukono, Wakiso and Jinja.

The Archdiocese of Mbarara has 45 Parishes and each one has members in AMDA. The Association currently has over 3,000 members and the number is still growing.

All bishops from the 34 dioceses in the province of the church of Uganda will tomorrow Saturday 12th November converge in Iganga to discuss pertinent issues in the province including the impasse in West Ankole Diocese.

The special sitting of the house of Bishops will precede the inauguration of central Busoga Diocese and consecration and enthronement of its pioneer Bishop Rev. Canon Patrick Wakula on Sunday.

The consecration function will take place at Bishop Willis primary teachers college; just adjacent to All Saint’s proposed Cathedral in Iganga.

Rev. Canon David Kaluya, the Diocesan secretary Busoga Diocese confirms saying, “it is true Bishops will on Saturday evening hold a private meeting to discuss pertinent issues in the church. That is the little I know since I am neither the archbishop nor a Bishop”

“I can only assure you that we have booked a hotel in Iganga where they will hold their meeting though I cannot divulge more about which hotel and what time” he added.

Meanwhile, Fred Kasiisa, the chairperson consecration and enthronement committee for Central Busoga Diocese said all is ready for the function to take place.

“We expect the president to grace the occasion,” he said.

He adds that on Thursday, they received the family of the Bishop elect into the Bishop’s palace before the Bishop elect headed for a retreat in Mityana where he is being counseled and guided by the Bishop of Mityana Diocese Dr Stephen Kazimba on the duties and responsibilities of his new appointment.

The Rev. Canon Patrick Wakula who on Sunday assumes the office of the Bishop of Central Busoga Diocese was on 24th August elected by the house bishops sitting in the sidelines of the 23rd provincial assembly of the province of the church of Uganda at Uganda Christian University Mukono, the 1^st Bishop of Central Busoga Diocese.

The Diocese of Central Busoga is being carved out of Busoga Diocese and will have its headquarters in Iganga covering the political districts of Iganga, Kaliro, Luuka and Namutumba.

It has six archdeaconries of Iganga, Kiyunga, Kaliro, Namutumba, Buseesa and Ivukula.

Who is Venn Rev Wakula

Patrick Wakula Idibya was born on May 17, 1962 at Lugulu village, Bugobi parish, Bulange Sub County, current Namutumba district to late Yasooni  wakula and Lovisa wakula who both served  as head of laity
and chairperson mothers union respectively for over thirty years.

He holds, a bachelor’s degree in education from Makerere University obtained in 2004 and is a teacher of biology at PMM girls’ school in Jinja town.

He also attained a diploma in secondary education from Kyambogo institute of education 1999, a diploma in theology from Bishop Barham Divinity College Kabale 1995.

Prior to his new calling, Venn Wakula has been the archdeacon of Jinja archdeaconry since 2009, was the archdeacon of Kaliro archdeaconry between 2006 and 2008 was a parish priest of Mbulamuti in Kamuli archdeaconry 1995-2005.

He is the chairman of the diocesan mothers union, youth and children’s committee, secretary to the archdeacon’s forum, secretary diocesan recruitment committee, secretary diocesan ordination and retreat committee and secretary diocesan vetting committee.

He is also the vice chairman board of governors Bishop wills primary teachers college and chairman school management committee for Spire Road primary school.

“It was on 1st January 1990 that I committed my life fully to Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Savior. Since then, I have never remained the same and I feel the Grace and unconditional love of God and joy for me continuously.

“Even though I have continued facing challenges and setbacks,  because of trusting in  His mighty name, I have also attained many achievements ranging  from being a lesson reader  and church cleaner in All  Saints Church Wakisi Naminya parish to serving as priest in a number of parishes, Glory be to God,” Wakula summarized his testimony.

He acknowledges the great contribution of his mentor, late Rev Canon Patrick Kitakule who died in July this year and Rev Besweri Waiswa who baptized him for humility and diligence and retired Dean Rev Canon Daniel Kiiza for timely counsel.

He is married to Florence Nakakawa Wakula since July 1 1990 with whom they have six children namely; Lillian Nakitandwe, Dennis Wakula, Phionah Nakitandwe, Mary Mwebaza, Phoebe Kwagala, and Martha Wakula.